The south of Spain is one of the areas of the country marked in red due to being at a high risk of earthquakes This is attested to by historical records that have been compiled over past centuries Among the most deadly earthquakes was the one that happened at Christmas 1884 with its epicentre in the town of Arenas del Rey in Granada and caused serious damage in Malaga's Axarquía area This Wednesday 25 December will mark 140 years since the natural disaster with the earthquake a turning point in the history of Spain as it completely transformed the architecture of buildings in many municipalities as many needed to be completely rebuilt The so-called 'Andalusian earthquake' occurred on 25 December 1884 with its epicentre in the municipality of Arenas del Rey in Granada which takes its name precisely from the visit of King Alfonso XII the great-great-grandfather of the current king to the most devastated areas in January 1885 The earthquake reached an intensity of grade X (EMS-98) at the epicentre and had a major impact on the whole of Axarquia and the Granada region of Alhama de Granada "The earthquake caused the almost total destruction of villages such as Periana and in others such as Vélez-Malaga Three towns were reduced to nothing: the village of Guaro and Ventas de Zafarraya and Arenas del Rey in the province of Granada," said Velez historian Francisco Montoro author of the Spanish book 'Terremotos de la Axarquía' (Earthquake of the Axarquía) It states that the earthquake caused 745 deaths and injured 1,485 just the same day that a strong 6.2 earthquake was recorded which was felt throughout Malaga province other historical sources place the Christmas Day 1884 quake at a magnitude of between 6.2 and 6.5 on the Richter scale with a hypocentre between 10 and 20 kilometres away The earthquake affected some 100 urban centres in the provinces of Granada According to these other historical sources were the southwest of the Granada province and the east of Malaga province Across this area there were some 800 fatalities and around 1,500 injured Some 4,400 houses were destroyed and a further 13,000 damaged Arenas del Rey was the worst affected town where 90% of homes collapsed and the rest suffering very serious damage A total of 135 people died and 253 were injured in this municipality which today has 610 registered inhabitants The village was completely rebuilt at some distance from the previous one Alhama de Granada was the town with the highest number of victims A new neighbourhood was built in the vicinity of the so-called Hoya del Ejido In addition to rockslides caused by the earthquake Aftershocks in the days after the incident caused people to take to the streets and those who remained indoors did so with their doors open Given the precarious communications at the time the location of the villages and the fact that the earthquake occurred on Christmas Day it was not until 27 December that the exact extent of the damage was known the Diputación provincial council of Granada sent an information commission to report on what had happened the newspaper 'El Defensor de Granada' appealed for help in the national press the alarm was interpreted in Madrid as "an exaggeration" During the three or four days following the earthquake each family had to subsist on its meagre means so more people died than were affected by the earthquake itself one of the heaviest snowfalls in Spain in living memory hit the area The first aid received was shipments of food and blankets agreed to open a national subscription inviting all state employees to cede part of their salaries on the first day of the following February and to organise shows and festivities to raise funds for the damaged areas Among the most notable was the one held on 28 January 1885 a benefit concert organised by the Dukes of Fernán Núñez with performances by artists from the Teatro Real The event was attended by King Alfonso XII and Queen María Cristina and the Infantas Isabel and Eulalia who helped to raise more money for charity as there were more than a hundred aftershocks in the days that followed went around the world and some 40 countries sent donations Although the minutes of the town hall of Vélez-Malaga for the year 1885 are missing the author provides in his book abundant and detailed documentation obtained in other ways that allow the reader to have a fairly approximate view of the effects of the earthquake in La Axarquía "This book provides documents of great interest on the intensity of that misfortune," said Montoro including the bell tower of the church of Carmen a building which no longer exists and collapsed on neighbouring houses in a municipal record prior to the day of the earthquake the secretary of the consistory wrote a note in which he stated: "Great earthquake occurred in this city on 25 December 1884 at 9 o'clock in the evening and continued at intervals of days throughout the month of February 1885 following some tremors in March on the first days but from the 10th onwards they were not felt On the 11th April at 5am a strong trepidation Nothing new worth mentioning until 13 July at 9:08pm The population suffered losses amounting to 8,000,000 pesetas" Those part of the royal commission appointed to assess the damage and control the aid was Antonio Ortega Escalona a popular flamenco singer who used the stage name Montoro's book reproduced in part the reports made by the president of the Malaga science society Domingo de Oruela y Duarte; Spanish geologist José McPherson; military officer Eduardo Feliu Boada and those of the official commission appointed by the government as well as official reports on the earthquake by the Sociedad de Beneficencia de Cuba and the regional commissioner according to the official history recorder in a report published in SUR on 29 December 2007 improvised tents and huts to shelter from the cold and rain The people brought out Saint Michael the Archangel and the Virgin of the Anguish in procession to intercede for the people The damage caused was not that great compared to Alhama de Granada The biggest incident happened in Puerta del Mar The telegraph facility was temporarily installed in a tent on Paseo Balcón de Europa King Alfonso XII visited all the towns affected by the earthquakes together with the ministers of war and the interior They were welcomed by the municipal corporation next to the Frontiles ravine and then went to the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de las Angustias to sing the Latin Christian hymn 'Te Deum' where the parish priest and clergymen were waiting for them the King walked through the main streets of the town until he reached the Balcón de Europa The King's presence brought the municipality aid from the calamity fund to the amount of 14,274.25 pesetas The legend has it that it was the monarch who baptised the Balcón de Europa there are minutes of the council meeting which indicate that this was the case prior to 1874 historian and researcher Pablo Rojo has produced a documentary work on the effects of the earthquake in the municipality of Frigiliana which was presented in the town last Thursday Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados The inland towns and villages in the province of Malaga offer countless walking routes and hiking trails through spectacular countryside and rugged mountain terrain often with panoramic views of the Mediterranean coastline and far beyond Many people prefer this time of year to explore the natural world and experience the beauty of the Andalusian terrain before the summer heat arrives Those looking for options have no end of clubs and groups to choose from Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year the club was founded in July 1990 by a small group of like-minded friends who all enjoyed the simple pleasure of walking in the Spanish countryside whose motto is 'Where walkers make friends and friends go walking' the walking club has grown considerably and now has over 150 members from many countries and backgrounds Registered under Spanish law as the Club Multinacional de Senderismo - The Field Club - in 2002 the club's year is divided into two seasons A full programme of walks of varying degrees of difficulty are offered from challenging routes of around 20 kilometres in the countryside and the mountains flat walks of approximately eight kilometres depending on the terrain and the distance." Those participating in the walks are required to wear adequate walking boots or shoes and suitable clothing those who arrive wearing "trainers or other unsuitable footwear" might not be allowed to participate as many of the paths and tracks we walk are very stony and rough The Field Club and those involved in leading a walk will always proceed with due care and attention undertaken entirely at your own risk," she added Lynda explained that these walks are graded moderate so it is important that members read the walk description carefully to "ensure it is within your ability" For members whose level of health prevents them from participating in the club's regular programme of walks the Flat Earth Walkers (FEW) meet on Thursday mornings in either La Cala de Mijas or Fuengirola for a coffee followed by a walk along the seafront promenade those wishing to venture further afield can take advantage of the club's walking holidays These take place in many parts of Andalucía from the countryside around Seville and Ronda to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Alhama de Granada is the destination for the club's spring walking holiday "This is the time of year when people are often thinking about getting more active and finding new friends and social groups There are obviously many benefits for both mental and physical health but we generally walk for fun and to enjoy the varied scenery of this area," the secretary concluded Membership costs 15 euros per year and those wishing to join can do so at the meetings held on the first and third Monday of the month in the cafeteria in the municipal building (Tenencia de Alcaldía) in Los Boliches between 10.30 and 11.30am Details of the club's upcoming events and walks can be found on www.thefieldclub.org Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics and enjoys sharing her experiences of living in Spain and saying “yes” to life.” small pueblos off the beaten path offer tranquil pieces of paradise Scroll down to the map at the bottom of the home page and explore by region Below are two places filled with Spanish magic the exquisite pueblo of Liérganes shines like a jewel nestled in a green valley You’ll feel like you stepped back in time as you wander between impressive well-preserved mansions from the 18th and 19th centuries These elegant edifices are remnants of the thriving economy generated by the first Royal Artillery Factory of Spain which began manufacturing cannons there in the 17th century summer delivers plenty of day-tripping tourists King Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia “took the baths” and Liérganes soon became a center of leisure and health you can even soak in the renovated “King’s Pool” Summer weather in Liérganes can be mild and glorious Average temperatures range from 40 to 74 F but rarely fall below 31 or go above 80 F Part of Liérganes’ charm is its very own legend: the tale of the Fish-Man He loved to swim and spent most of his days in the river his mother was left with four children and little means to support them red-headed boy in an apprenticeship with a carpenter in Bilbao he went swimming in the estuary of Bilbao and swam out of sight of his co-workers Since they knew he was an excellent swimmer fishermen in the Bay of Cádiz (Southern Spain) found an odd creature tangled in their nets but with fish-like scales covering part of its chest and spine They took him to the church where monks interrogated him in several languages One of the monks took him to the village where the Fish-Man walked straight to the house of his mother who recognized him as her lost son He stayed with his family but only spoke a few words He never got used to clothes or shoes and would walk around the village naked and barefoot he went swimming in the sea again….and never returned Today there is a statue of the Fish-Man beside the Roman Bridge and an orientation center with information about his story in an old mill nearby two-bathroom apartment in Liérganes for $522 a month You can buy a similar apartment but with one bathroom and a terrace for $121,718 Although not included in the website of Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España its dramatic setting and rich history deserve that designation Halfway between Granada and Málaga in Andalusia perched on the edge of a breathtaking gorge carved by the Alhama River in the Sierra de Tejeda mountains this village of around 6,000 people offers pleasant mild summers and cold winters who built bathhouses to take advantage of the natural hot springs Alhama was later ruled by the Arabs and finally conquered by the Catholic Kings Its monumental architecture reflects all of these periods of its history and canyons provide opportunities for hiking It’s perfect for those seeking an outdoor lifestyle infused with medieval charm average temperatures range from 70 F to 46 F The original 12th-century pool is preserved inside the spa building The healing waters are especially helpful for osteoarthritis In modern facilities surrounded by lush gardens qualified professionals offer a variety of health and beauty treatments Alhama is also known for its unique and colorful Carnival celebration which has been declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia You can rent a furnished country home with three bedrooms and a swimming pool on three acres of private land for $852 a month 1,500-square-foot house in the center of the village with balconies There Are Many Reasons for Moving to Spain The Best Places For Every Budget in Spain Is Spain a Safe Place to Live? Travelling out of season to sunny southern Spain can make for a superb short break as our writer discovers when he explores Andalucía’s hill townsPlus: off-season breaks to Corsica minutes passed before another vehicle appeared On the horizon the Sierra Nevada rolled along in the sunlight Outside the car was the countryside of rural Andalucía cobbled roads into Alhama de Granada’s main square ready to explore this small hill town with its Moorish quarter the Iglesia del Carmen and dramatic views of Los Tajos (the gorge) The joys of this out-of-season break extended beyond the uncongested roads other tourists were few and the pace of life had shifted down a couple of gears I had not driven to the back of beyond to get here: around 45 minutes’ drive in a hire car from Málaga airport had taken me to my base The capital of Málaga province during Moorish rule it’s now a regular working town with a population of around 9,000 and a reassuringly light dash of tourism Los Tajos, Alhama de Granada. Photograph: Robert HullI checked in at Almohalla 51 a five-bedroom boutique guesthouse – comprised of two renovated townhouses – run by David Matthews and Myles Rainford exposed beams and stone-tiled floors make for a calming retreat The house is on several levels and has a higgledy-piggeldy feel a terrace to soak up the sun and a plunge pool I preferred to keep cosy by the woodburner – the daytime was mild but after sundown there was a chill My fireside reading included Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra; first published in 1832 the book’s essays and short fiction detail the American writer’s journey through this part of Spain and helped inspire David and Myles’s Andalucía: the Roads Less Travelled package off-season itinerary explores some of Andalucía’s lesser-known small towns beautiful and architecturally interesting as the region’s big hitters: Seville None were much more than an hour or so from Archidona and easy to explore on the empty roads I’d never thought a dish of breadcrumbs would make such an impact but these – slowly fried over a fire with garlic chorizo and black pudding – were a robust and flavoursome experience Setenil de las Bodegas where dwellings are built into rock overhangs above the Rio Trejo Photograph: Kevin Rushby/The GuardianIn Osuna I explored ornate former duke’s palaces on Calle San Pedro its cathedral and 16th-century university building But I could also have searched out its bullring the routes from Almohalla 51 could have taken me to Estepa What I discovered was that there was always another hospitable town to visit pork shoulder crunch (€12) and a distinctive take on a New York cheesecake (€4.50) were simply breathtaking in their flavour sense of fun and eye-catching presentation Plaza de la Iglesia de Santa Ana Archidona - with La Peña de los Enamorados in the distance Photograph: Robert HullNot every traveller is looking for solitude and tradition - for some there is a need for hubbub and activity I was aware of that on the occasions I sat in uncrowded cafes strolled along empty ramparts or chatted to locals as I watched the sunset from the summit of Sierra de Gracia – a brief hike from Archidona – I knew this affordable out-of-season adventure had delivered far more than I had expected and reinforced the idea of how small can often be so beautiful Dramatic mountain views from the medieval fortress town of Marvão Photograph: Alex RobinsonDreamy castles and ducal palaces Fragrant meadows brilliant with salvia and silene Perhaps it’s because temperatures - away from the coast - soar to a 40C in summer when it’s pleasantly warm in the village of Marvão on the Spanish border I drove here in just under two hours via an empty motorway then a winding mountain road into the Serra de Estrela hills which cut through little whitewashed villages and terraces of vineyards green with young leaves I stopped at the Roman ruins of Ammaia: a shamble of rubble that was once a great trading town a seven-metre-high digit of weather-worn neolithic stone towering over a lonely landscape of butterfly-filled fields Then I saw Marvão and it looked spectacular even from a distance: a jagged crenulation of church towers and fortified walls silhouetted against a deep yellow afternoon sun The city walls and waterfront at Calvi. Photograph: AlamyThe way Parisians talk about it, Corsica is the place to come to in summer. July heralds the electronic music festival Calvi on the Rocks while August empties the city of its locals and dumps them on Mediterranean beaches My partner and I had always longed to experience the island’s dramatic landscape but peak-season flights were too expensive Corsican friends from Calvi and the surrounding Balagne region let us in on a secret: the year-round temperate climate makes the area great for off-season sunshine Many of its businesses are open year-round and the town is all the more delicious without the crowds Calvi’s pièce de résistance: a fortified labyrinth of cobblestone streets with impressive views of the city and the sea The Ceri run through the streets of Gubbio Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty ImagesHaving escaped the crowds of tourists in nearby Perugia brings a sense of discovery and achievement But while it remains largely off foreigners’ radar Italians flock to Gubbio during the country’s insufferably hot summers The cooler spring months are undoubtedly the best time to visit when the lush countryside is at its most beautiful and Gubbio hosts its two most important events when men charge through town bearing three huge wooden structures topped with statues of saints on the Ceri run Another unmissable day comes on the last Sunday in May when the town’s Crossbow Festival sees locals compete in the main square Expect period dress and ceremonial flag-waving We headed to the 15th-century Ducal Palace whose wooden study was deemed so exceptional it was shipped off to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art the replica produced by the town’s artisans is equally impressive where we sought out the bronze Eugubine Tablets written between the third and first centuries BC in the local language This grand palace also affords views across to Gubbio’s ancient theatre a sign of the importance of the town to Rome A springtime trip to Gubbio wouldn’t be complete without a lengthy lunch along one of its narrow streets, and so we grabbed an outdoor table at Taverna del Lupo for its truffle-infused dishes A hearty plate of pasta can be walked off by climbing the mountainside (or taking the cable car if you’ve over-indulged) - up to the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo Gubbio is a 25-mile drive from Perugia airport, which has direct flights to the UK. In central Gubbiom, Hotel Gattapone has doubles from €90, and Hotel Bosone Palace has double rooms from €71 Wildfire Today Three people were killed Monday September 19 when a helicopter crashed about 25 kilometers east of Granada in Spain The Bell 412 helicopter was flying from its company’s base in Palma del Río to the Infoca fire fighting base in Alhama de Granada It was due to temporarily replace another helicopter which is normally based there while it was being serviced The helicopter was operated by the FAASA company 2010 article in Vertical magazine about the company: FAASA Group Takes Delivery Of Four AW119Ke Helicopters is pleased to announce that FAASA Group of Spain has taken delivery of an additional four AW119Ke single engine helicopters for fire-fighting missions The handover brings the number of AW119Kes in service with this operator to twenty units making FAASA Group one of the largest operators of this model in the world Two of these aircrafts will be operated by Heliduero The operator provided a major contribution to the 2009 fire-fighting season in Spain deploying up to sixteen AW119 helicopters Our condolences to the families and coworkers Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email Find out before the availability of places information points and ecomuseums to get the most out of your visit The use of fire is prohibited from June 1 to October 15 (including barbecues) Follow the recommendations and comply with the regulations at all times Respect the facilities put at your disposal Do not throw cigarettes or any other object that produces combustion In silence you will enjoy your experience more Live respectfully with the locals and other users Facilitate use for people with special needs By consuming local products and counting on local companies Practice responsible tourism and committed to the environment It would endanger the flora and fauna of the place Get around in a sustainable way: public transport Do not leave a trace of your passage through nature The best memory you can take with you is your own photograph The conservation of natural spaces is also in your hands Know us Contact Links of interest Web map Manuals Accessibility Terms of use Contact Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news You are receiving this pop-up because this is the first time you are visiting our site You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker) we are relying on revenues from our banners So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.Thanks A dozen cooperatives in Granada devoted to almond production have started the harvesting season with good prospects and the forecast of more than 30% growth compared to last year which had had several seasons with negative results the figures will show that the farms remain profitable the dreaded almond seed wasp pest has not had as much of an impact as expected the almond season is progressing at a good pace a reduction in the yield per kilo is also reported; a direct consequence of the water shortages the price of conventional almonds has remained unchanged Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de Granada-FAECA has 12 cooperatives among its members that grow and harvest different almond varieties although the Desmayo and Marcona (early) and Guara The federation of cooperatives insists on the importance of checking the origin of the almonds and almond products and consuming Spanish products whose quality is higher than that of imported almonds The northern regions and the areas around Alhama Órgiva and Dúrcal are where most almonds are grown in a province that is the country's leading almond producer and the one with the largest acreage devoted to this crop (70,000 hectares) 130,000 tons (of shelled almonds) were produced last year Around 40 percent of the total acreage is devoted to organic production which account for 85% of the total volume exported For more information:Agrifood Cooperatives GranadaTel.: +34 666 82 97 45[email protected]www.faecagranada.com FreshPublishers © 2005-2025 FreshPlaza.com NM's approach is simple: work hard They are are a global production company that breaks free from traditional methods offering the flexibility to adapt to any scenario (well almost any) Whether you’re looking for full production or just a specific service—like enjoying a slice of pizza without the whole pie—they’ve got you covered Whether it’s a full-scale end to end production mobilising event crews for content capture or simply finding the perfect location for your project they bring the same level of commitment every brief NM Location's have extensive experience and an international network of scouts who are able to offer a modular location scouting service with the optional support of an entire production team The amount of workable light you get is incredible and the variety of landscapes even within a short distance is second to none the welcoming culture why wouldn’t you choose to shoot here it is still very budget friendly and you are still able to source the latest equipment.  Here you can find Mode Architecture that dates back over 2000 years It’s a great destination within an amazing country.  you name it you’ll probably be able to find it The most popular locations by far in Spain would be coastal There is such a great diversity between the beaches to the winding coastal roads to the towns and cities that have built up along the shoreline.  It depends on your brief as to what the best and worst times to shoot are you can find that pretty much 12 months of the year if you go to the right area If you want snow and cold mountains then you have a four to five month window Most likely you will always find blue sky in the right places.  This totally depends where you are coming from For most Europeans it is pretty straight forward however you would need to make enquiries about entry to Spain prior to planning your shoot out here Generally however it is all pretty straight forward and easy.  you can get anything you can get in most other major shooting locations The one thing I would say is there is a lot of demand so if you leave your planning late then you may find that you struggle to get the equipment you need One of the most successful shoots we’ve done in Spain was for Jaguar releasing the camera off the U-crane arm and bringing it into the car while moving at speed There were plenty of things that could have gone wrong but with a skilled and adaptable crew in a stunning location We’ve worked on projects for brands like Carling The combination of incredible locations and a hardworking especially when unexpected challenges pop up.  Spain is home to some incredible historic religious sites deeply connected to its culture and traditions It’s always worth being mindful and respectful when visiting The Spanish are known for their warmth and hospitality and even a small effort to learn a few basic phrases can go a long way you’ll still find yourself enjoying the conversation and having great time.  Get it booked as far in advance as possible Things can be turned around very quickly in Spain but it is so much better and the production/content will be incredible if you give it the appropriate lead times.  but generally speaking in the centre for a great time Ochoa in Alhama De Granada (which is a stunning town) is amazing and ask how much you drank at the end of the night to work out the bill and you will have a great time (the smaller knowing a few Spanish words or phrases will help you navigate the experience and make it even more enjoyable.  and it really depends on what you’re looking for If you want a lively city with great food and culture Granada is full of history with amazing views and buzzing atmosphere make it one of my favourites and once you’ve been you’ll keep coming back.  Anissa Payne - EP NM Productions  “Spain has always been one of my favourite places to visit in my own time but it’s even better when travelling for production mountains and you can pretty much rely on good weather all year round My favourite part of shooting in Spain has to be the amazing food and catering plus you can always count on a warm welcome and great hospitality from the local crews.”  and Americans have more travel options for travel destinations than they've had since March.  The problem is that the American passport has significantly lost its power since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.   Rising cases of the virus and the US government's ongoing travel restrictions barring entry for non-citizens into the country have turned the world against hosting American visitors US passport holders can visit just a fraction of the world's countries and are largely bound to North America for travel Central American and Caribbean countries were the most receptive to Americans over the summer Every continent has a handful of countries willing to accept US visitors but most require mandatory quarantine upon arrival or a negative COVID-19 test for entry.  Another problem: getting to some of the countries that are letting in Americans isn't as easy as hopping on the first flight Even those who can show a recent negative COVID-19 test must deal with the fact that airlines have greatly scaled back their schedules with some countries not allowing US citizens to transfer through their airports at all.  Travelers seeking to journey to these countries should opt for non-stop flights to minimize potential disruptions If connecting through a third country is required Americans should check with their airline and the local US embassy to ensure they'll be granted passage.  Here's where Americans can travel in the age of coronavirus and how to get there Restrictions: Travelers do not need a negative COVID-19 test or to quarantine upon arrival.  How to get there: Tirana International Airport in Albania's capital serves as the primary point of entry for foreign arrivals US passengers can utilize European airlines to get to there including British Airways which all allow US passengers to transit to third-countries through their hubs Visit the US Embassy in Albania page for the most updated information Restrictions: Antigua and Barbuda requires a negative COVID-19 test within seven days of travel.  How to get there: All international flights to Antigua and Barbuda utilize V.C Bird International Airport in St John's as the main point of entry and United Airlines all serve St John's from their East Coast hubs Visit the US Embassy in Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Armenia or may choose to self-quarantine for 14 days.  How to get there: Zvartnots International Airport in the capital of Yerevan serves as the main point of entry for foreigners entering the country European airlines serving the country include Brussels Airlines all of which offer one-stop connections from the US and allow transfers through their hubs Qatar Airways also serves Yerevan through its Doha hub where US citizens are allowed to transit Visit the US Embassy in Armenia page for the most updated information How to get there: Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad serves as the primary point of entry for international arrivals to the island nation and Sun Country Airlines all serve Aruba from cities across the US Restrictions: Travelers will need to upload a COVID-19 test 120 hours prior to departure as part of a required online visa application submitted Americans must also purchase health insurance ranging from $40-$60 How to get there: Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau serves as the primary point of entry for international arrivals and Sun Country Airlines all serve the Bahamas from cities across the US Entry by boat is extremely limited with most ports of entry closed.  Visit the US Embassy in The Bahamas page for the most updated information.  Restrictions: Travelers will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel and undergo temperature screening upon arrival How to get there: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is the country's primary international gateway Middle Eastern airlines including Qatar Airways and Emirates offer one-stop connections from cities across the US Passengers transiting through the United Arab Emirates on Emirates will need to present a negative COVID-19 test from a maximum of 96 hours before departure Visit the US Embassy in Bangladesh page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel How to get there: Grantley Adams International Airport near Bridgetown serves as the primary point of entry for international arrivals to the island nation American Airlines and JetBlue Airways serve the airport from their East Cubs hubs Visit the US Embassy in Barbados page for the most updated information How to get there: Minsk National Airport in the country's capital serves as the primary point of entry for international arrivals European airlines including Austrian Airlines all serve the airport with one-stop connections to the US and allow transits through their hubs Visit the US Embassy in Belarus page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers must upload a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days of departure 48 hours before arriving in Bermuda Wade International Airport in Hamilton serves as the primary point of entry to the island nation and JetBlue Airways all serve Bermuda from their East Coast hubs Restrictions: Travelers from select American states can currently enter Bonaire via Curacao and will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel and comply with Curacao travel restrictions during transit.  How to get there: Curaçao International Airport serves as the primary gateway for arrivals to Bonaire until direct flights resume from the US and JetBlue Airways serve Curacao from cities across the US with local airlines providing connections to Bonaire have plans to start direct flights to Bonaire from select cities in the US starting in mid-December Visit the US Consulate General in Curacao page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers must upload a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days of departure 48 hours before arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina How to get there: Sarajevo International Airport in the capital city is the country's primary international gateway European airlines including Air Serbia and Austrian Airlines offer one-stop connections through their hubs from cities across the US Visit the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina page for the most updated information Restrictions: The US State Department has a "Do Not Travel" warning placed against Brazil — its highest restriction Americans can go to Brazil without testing for the coronavirus is currently the primary gateway to the country and United Airlines – as well as South America's LATAM Airlines – offer non-stop flights from cities across the US.   Visit the US Embassy in Brazil page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel and undergo an additional test upon arrival They must also put down a $2,000 deposit for potential coronavirus treatment How to get there: Phnom Penh International Airport in the capital city serves as the country's primary gateway for international arrivals and EVA Air offer one-stop connections from the US and transits through their hub airports Passengers transiting through Taiwan must have connections shorter than eight hours.  Visit the US Embassy in Cambodia page for the most updated information Restrictions: If entering after December 7 travelers will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel show proof of health insurance to cover potential COVID-19-related health issues travelers will still need to quarantine for 14 days.  How to get there: Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in the capital city of Santiago serves as the country's primary gateway for international arrivals Visit the US Embassy in Chile page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 96 hours prior to their travel How to get there: Five airports serve as international gateways to Colombia including in El Dorado International Airport in Bogota Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena José María Córdova International Airport in Medellin Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport in Barranquilla and Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport in Cali All major US international airlines including American Airlines as well as Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways serve various Colombian cities from cities across the US.  has also restarted flights between the US and cities across the country while low-cost airline Viva Air Colombia offers flights between Miami and Medellin.  Visit the US Embassy in Colombia page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers from select American states can enter Costa Rica and will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel as well as undergo an additional test upon arrival They must also place a $2,000 deposit for potential coronavirus treatment How to get there: Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia serve as the two gateways for international arrivals to Costa Rica Nearly every major US airline serves Costa Rica including Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways from cities across the US Visit the US Embassy in Costa Rica page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel and undergo an additional test upon arrival How to get there: Zagreb Airport and Dubrovnik Airport are currently the two primary international gateways for Croatia serve the country and allow US citizens to transfer through their airports American Airlines inaugurated a non-stop route between Philadelphia and Dubrovnik but canceled the service for the remainder of 2020.  Visit the US Embassy in Croatia page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers from select American states can enter Curacao and will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel as well as fill out a "passenger locator card."  How to get there: Curaçao International Airport serves as the primary gateway for arrivals to Curacao and JetBlue Airways serve the airport from cities across the US.  Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken seven days before travel A test will also be required upon arrival for a fee of $45 and travelers will have to quarantine until the result is received.  How to get there: N'djili Airport in the capital city of Kinshasha is the country's primary international gateway and Air France offer one-stop itineraries to the country from cities across the US.   Visit the US Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel and undergo an additional test upon arrival.  How to get there: As Dominica does not have non-stop connections to the US the easiest way for Americans to reach the island is through San Juan Air Sunshine and Seaborne Airlines are the only two US airlines to connect the countries doing so through San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and Dominica's Douglas-Charles Airport Travelers can purchase single-itinerary tickets to Dominica through American Airlines Puerto Rico also requires mainland arrivals to present a negative COVID-19 test if leaving the airport.  How to get there: International airports in the Dominican Republic with non-stop flights to the US include Cibao International Airport in Santiago Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo Punta Cana International Airport in Punta Cana and Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata Most major US airlines serve the country through those airports including JetBlue Airways Visit the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic page for the most updated information. Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to travel that will be no more than 120 hours old when arriving in the country A test will also be required upon arrival for a fee of $30 and travelers will have to quarantine until the result is received.  How to get there: Ambouli International Airport in the capital city of Djibouti City is the country's primary international gateway and Turkish Airlines offer one-stop itineraries to the country from cities across the US.   Visit the US Embassy in the Djibouti page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 10 days of travel How to get there: Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito and José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil serve as the two international gateways for Ecuador Major US airlines serving the South American country include American Airlines Travelers flying to the Galapagos Islands also need to enter Ecuador and transit through Quito or Guayaquil.  Visit the US Embassy in Ecuador page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours before travel How to get there: Cairo International Airport is the main international gateway for Egypt with secondary points of entry including Luxor which offers a non-stop flight between New York and Cairo and Middle Eastern airlines offering one-stop connections and allow US citizens to transit through their hubs.  Visit the US Embassy in Egypt page for the most updated information How to get there: El Salvador International Airport in San Salvador serves as the country's primary international gateway and Frontier Airlines all serve the airport from cities across the US.  Visit the US Embassy in El Salvador page for the most updated information Those without a test result must quarantine at a government facility for seven days and then for seven additional days at their home How to get there: Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in the capital city is Ethiopia's primary international gateway and Washington while Middle Eastern airlines including Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines also offer one-stop itineraries to the country from cities across the US.   Visit the US Embassy in Ethiopia page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to their travel and then test again within the first four days of their trip.  How to get there: Fa'a'ā International Airport in Papeete on the island of Tahiti serves as the primary international gateway to Tahiti Four airlines offer non-stop flights from the US including Ait Tahiti Nui and Air France from Los Angeles French Bee and United Airlines from San Francisco Visit the U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to their travel and then test again upon arrival at the airport.  How to get there: Kotoka International Airport in Accra is the country's primary international gateway Delta Air Lines offers a non-stop flight from New York with one-stop connections to cities throughout the US while European airlines including British Airways and TAP Air Portugal also offer one-stop itineraries through their hubs.  Visit the U.S. Embassy in Ghana page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to upload a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 10 days of travel They will then be tested again upon arrival and required to spend 14 days in self-approved quarantine Those who test positive will quarantine for 14 days in a state facility.  How to get there:  Maurice Bishop International Airport in St George's serves the island nation of Grenada and JetBlue Airways all fly to the country from their East Coast hubs.  Flights are currently limited to the island with no US carrier scheduled to serve Grenada until October Air Canada also serves the country via Toronto with one-stop connecting itineraries available to US citizens.  How to get there: La Aurora International Airport in the country's capital of Guatemala City serves as the country's primary international gateway and JetBlue Airways all serve the airport from cities across the US with Eastern Airlines and Frontier Airlines also planning to fly to Guatemala soon.  Visit the US Embassy in Guatemala page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test or to quarantine upon arrival.  How to get there: Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince is the main international gateway to Haiti Four US carriers serve the airport including American Airlines and Eastern Airlines from cities across the East Coast while Air France also connects Port-au-Prince with Miami.  Visit the US Embassy in Haiti page for the most updated information How to get there: Toncontín International Airport in the capital of Tegucigalpa is the primary international gateway for Honduras and United Airlines serve the country from some of their East Coast and Texas hubs.  Visit the US Embassy in Honduras page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival Visitors must self-isolate at an address they disclose on a government form upon arrival for 14 days but can test out of quarantine after receiving a negative result from a test taken after at least five days in the country..  How to get there: Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport are the primary international gateways for arrivals into Ireland connect the two countries from cities across the US with non-stop flights.  Restrictions: Visitors must upload a negative COVID-19 test within 10 days of travel at Jamaica's tourism website How to get there: Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay are the two international gateways for arriving Americans Most major US airlines including American Airlines and Sun Country Airlines serve the country from cities across the US Visit the US Embassy in Jamaica page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 96 hours of travel and undergo a temperature and health check upon arrival How to get there: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is the country's primary international gateway with flag carrier Kenya Airways resuming non-stop flights to New York on October 30 European and Middle Eastern airlines including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Qatar Airways also offer one-stop connections from cities across the US Visit the US Embassy in Kenya page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers do not need a negative COVID-19 test or to quarantine upon arrival the US Embassy urges against travel to Kosovo stating that the "health situation is deteriorating and public institutions are struggling to keep up with demand." How to get there: Pristina International Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Kosovo and its main international gateway Austrian Airlines and Turkish Airlines currently offer one-stop connections to Pristina from cities across the US and allow Americans to transit through their hubs Visit the US Embassy in Kosovo page for the most updated information and undergo a health screening upon arrival How to get there: Beirut International Airport is the main international gateway for Lebanon and Turkish Airlines all currently offer one-stop connections to Beirut from cities across the US and allow Americans to transit through their hubs Visit the US Embassy in Lebanon page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken from their point of departure and present the negative result upon entry to the country a rapid and PCR test will be administered at the airport with the result of the former determining whether quarantine is required.  How to get there: Roberts International Airport near the capital city of Monrovia is the main international gateway for Liberia Royal Air Maroc offers one-stop connections from cities across the US through Casablanca.  Visit the US Embassy in Liberia page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel How to get there: Velana International Airport near the capital of Male is the primary international gateway for foreign visitors Global airlines serving the Maldives include Lufthansa Passengers transiting through the United Arab Emirates on Emirates or Etihad Airways will need to present a negative COVID-19 test from a maximum of 96 hours before departure Visit the US Mission to Maldives page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test or to quarantine upon arrival How to get there: Mexico has no shortage of international airports with non-stop flights from the US Nearly every major US airlines including American Airlines and Volaris serve numerous cities in Mexico from cities across the US Visit the US Embassy in Mexico page for the most updated information How to get there: Podgorica Airport and Tivat Airport are Montenegro's two international gateways offer one-stop connections between the US and Montenegro and allow US citizens to transit through their hubs Visit the US Embassy in Montenegro page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of travel They also need a reservation with a Moroccan hotel or travel agency or a business invitation from a local company,  How to get there: Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca and Marrakesh Menara Airport serve as the country's two primary international gateways and Tangier also receiving international flights offers non-stop flights between New York and Casablanca and may resume additional flights from Boston International airlines including TAP Air Portugal and Air France also offer one-stop connections through their hubs Visit the US Embassy in Morocco page for the most updated information How to get there: Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek is the country's primary international gateway Qatar Airways currently offers one-stop connections through its Doha hub from cities across the US Visit the US Embassy in Namibia page for the most updated information How to get there: Diori Hamani International Airport in the country's capital of Niamey is Niger's primary international gateway and Turkish Airlines all offer one-stop connections from cities across the US Visit the US Embassy in Niger page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 120 hours of travel How to get there: Murtala Muhammed International Airport near Lagos is Nigeria's primary international gateway all offer one-stop connections from cities across the US.  Delta Air Lines will also resume non-stop flights from New York to Lagos in January Visit the US Embassy in Nigeria page for the most updated information How to get there: Skopje International Airport in the capital city is the primary international gateway for North Macedonia and LOT Polish Airlines all serve North Macedonia and allow Americans to transit through their hubs.  Visit the US Embassy in North Macedonia page for the most updated information Restrictions: Panama will reopen its international borders on October 12 and travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of travel for entry Travelers with a less recent test will need to undergo additional screening upon arrival in the form of a rapid test at a cost of approximately $30 How to get there: Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is the country's primary international gateway and Spirit Airlines all serve Panama City from their hubs across the US.  also connects the country with cities across the US.  Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel and sign a health affidavit.  How to get there: Jorge Chávez International Airport in the capital city of Lima is the country's primary international gateway and JetBlue Airways — as well as South America's LATAM Airlines — all serve Lima from cities across the US Visit the US Embassy in Peru page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 120 hours of their first flight to Rwanda They will be transported to their designated quarantine hotel upon arrival and then allowed to leave once the test comes back negative.  How to get there: Kigali International Airport in the capital city is the main international gateway serving Rwanda and Turkish Airlines all offer one-stop connections between the US and Rwanda and allow US citizens to transit through their hub airports Visit the US Embassy in Rwanda page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within five days of travel How to get there: Blaise Diagne International Airport in the capital city of Dakar is the main international gateway serving Senegal Delta Air Lines offers non-stop flights from New York while European and North African airlines including TAP Air Portugal and Royal Air Maroc offer one-stop connections through their hubs Visit the US Embassy in Senegal page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers do not need a negative COVID-19 test or to quarantine upon arrival if they are coming from the US But if they are coming from North Macedonia they must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of travel How to get there: Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is the country's primary international gateway serving the capital city Air Serbia offers non-stop flights between New York and Belgrade while European airlines including Lufthansa offer one-stop connections to cities across the US.  Visit the US Embassy in Serbia page for the most updated information They may not enter the French side of the island How to get there: Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side of the island acts as the primary gateway for visitors visiting either side of the island Major US airlines offering non-stop flights between the two countries include American Airlines Seaborne Airlines also operates flights between Sint Maarten and San Juan Visit the US Embassy in the Dutch Caribbean States page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel or quarantine upon arrival at their expense.  How to get there: Cape Town International Airport and O Tambo International Airport in Cape Town and Johannesburg are the country's two primary international gateways and Johannesburg in January while countless African and Middle Eastern airlines offer one-stop connections through their hubs.  Visit the US Embassy in the South Africa page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test but they will be tested upon arrival and required to quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility This will cost approximately $1,400 to $2,100.  How to get there: Incheon International Airport near Seoul is the primary international gateway for Americans entering the country and South Korea's Korean Air and Asiana Airlines connect Seoul and cities across the US with non-stop flights Visit the US Embassy in South Korea page for the most updated information How to get there: Visitors to Saint Barthelemy often have to pass through a third country or island and transfer to a boat or small aircraft capable of utilizing the island's notoriously challenging airport Tradewind Aviation offers flights from San Juan and St Barth's Commuter and Winair offer flights from nearby Sint Maarten Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel and undergo a health screening upon arrival Bradshaw Airport in the capital city of Basseterre serves as the country's primary international gateway and United Airlines offer non-stop flights from cities across the US while Seaborne Airlines offers non-stop flights from San Juan.  Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within seven days of travel How to get there: Hewanorra International Airport is Saint Lucia's main international gateway for visiting Americans and JetBlue Airways all serve the country from cities across the US US citizens will be quarantined at a government-designated facility for five days and re-tested prior to release.  How to get there: Argyle International Airport in Kingstown is the sole international airport serving Saint Vincent and the Grenadines American Airlines offers the only non-stop flights between the two countries on a US carrier while Air Canada offers one-stop connections through Toronto.  Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result though Tanzania's US embassy has not specified when this test needs to be taken How to get there: Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airport in Northern Tanzania both act as international gateways for the sub-Saharan country most famous for Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro and Emirates all connect Tanzania with the US through hubs that allow transfers for Americans Visit the US Embassy in Tanzania page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers do not need a negative COVID-19 test or to quarantine upon arrival.  How to get there: Istanbul Airport is the primary international gateway to Turkey though the country has numerous international airports with one-stop connections to the US through Europe and the Middle East Turkish Airlines offers the only non-stop flight between Turkey and the US serving cities throughout the country.  Visit the US Embassy in Turkey page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to upload a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 5 days of travel How to get there: Providenciales International Airport in the country's capital acts as the primary international gateway for American visitors Major US carriers including American Airlines and JetBlue Airways all serve the country.  Visit the US Embassy in Turks and Caicos page for the most updated information Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of travel and may only visit Dubai.  How to get there: Dubai International Airport serves as the main international gateway for Americans traveling to Dubai Emirates offers the only non-stop flights between the US and Dubai with service to cities across the country Visit the US Embassy in the United Arab Emirates page for the most updated information How to get there: London is the primary gateway to the country with Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport receiving international arrivals from the US The big three international US airlines including American Airlines as well as UK carriers British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways all fly to London and a few secondary cities in the country.  Restrictions: Travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 14 days of travel.  How to get there: Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in the capital city of Lusaka serves as the country's primary international gateway Emirates currently offers one-stop connections from cities across the US and requires a negative COVID-19 from within 96 hours of departure when leaving Zambia.  Visit the US Embassy in Zambia page for the most updated information Stephane Mandelert and Flavia Spreafico are a Swiss-Brazilian couple who have recently opened Sky Andaluz; an observatory in the sierra just outside Alhama de Granada The couple (Stephane is half Swiss and half Brazilian and Flavia is Brazilian) moved to the town in Granada province after years of research to find the optimum place to house their two telescopes and observatory "My goal is to provide a wonderful first observational astronomy experience to as many people as possible," explains Stephane who has been fascinated by astronomy since he was just a young child "My passion for astronomy started when I was around seven years old I received my first book on the subject and was hooked." He was then given a comic by a teacher that explained the Big Bang theory and the expansion of the Universe At the age of 17 and on holiday in Switzerland (Stephane was brought up in Rio de Janeiro) he started to buy more "sophisticated" books on astronomy and his first telescope "A 110 mm telescope that gave me problems at customs," the astronomer confesses the 110 mm was limited and while working for the banking sector in his father's native country of Switzerland he came across an advertisement for Stellarzac a place in France where his now friend Frédéric Gea had a one-metre (40 inch) telescope a one-metre telescope available in a perfect place was an opportunity that I did not want to miss," says Stephane It turned out that Gea built telescopes and Stephane went on to be his first customer After 30 years in the banking industry and with literally an entire galaxy to explore having by then married Flavia who came to Europe after a successful career as a PhD student and then teacher of Biochemistry in Rio de Janeiro decided he wanted to start up his own observatory looking into the best place with optimum conditions The list of criteria was long: the couple needed a high plateau but not too far out of the way so that visitors to the observatory would be able to reach them easily After considering a return to Brazil and looking at Italy the list was narrowed down to southern Greece and Andalucía They eventually settled on the high plains outside Alhama de Granada which sits at over 1,000 metres above sea level Almijara and Alhama mountains and has views over the Sierra Nevada They arrived in July 2020 and after an 18-month process of getting the licences needed and building the installations (an observatory and visitor's centre as well as space and shelters for the two telescopes) Sky Andaluz opened in January of this year The couple divide the responsibilities into administrative and website (Flavia) and Stephane describes himself as the "artistic prima donna" who runs the tours Although I must say that Flavia is a pretty good guide too welcoming and passionate about sharing their love for astronomy I visited in late July and as well as enjoying a fascinating stargazing experience when I got to see Jupiter and Saturn up close my goodness the cool night air of the mountains was welcome Turn autoplay off Turn autoplay on Please activate cookies in order to turn autoplay off Bar El Tigre is a wonderful, fun and very traditional Spanish tapas bar in the centre of Alhama de Granada, about 50km from Granada. The boss Antonio is a very lively, friendly host. He prepares simple but exquisite food – jamon iberico is a must as are his tostadas – toasted bread with tasty toppings: tomato all with lashings of olive oil and black pepper There is a wonderful aromoa of coffee and red wine as you enter the bar Feel the warm friendly atmosphere as you sit by the bar or find your seat on the large terrace and watch the locals meander around this dreamy little town .• Plaza de la Constitución Wolfee especially when accompanied by her husband his Spanish guitar playing is more convincing than his wig This is a great little tapas bar/restaurant within a cool walled garden perched at the top of the hill in the Albaicín in Granada. It is quite difficult to find, tucked away in a little side street, but is well worth it if you can find it. Fantastic tapas free with every drink, and eating off the menu looked pretty good as well. • Albaicín alto, Calle Horno de Hoyo, granadainfo.com/higuera/english.htm SteveMcCann Wonderful and well presented local tapas for the connoisseur it's small and perhaps you'll have to queue up – it's difficult to find too Pizara Café was the best value tapas and wine we had in the Asturias. Try the montaditos – slices of freshly cooked pork on bread, delicious. The sausages are also very good and go with the glasses of dry white wine. Just ask the bartender for a recommendation and you wont be disappointed. • Plaza de la Catedral 3, pizarracafe.com Sintra This charming restaurant in a rustic alley conveniently placed for a break from sightseeing in the Alcazaba and the Teatro Romano We had the vegan plate: an appetising and generous selection of vegan finger food and salads with comments from previous customers written on the walls One of the few remaining traditional family restaurants where you can see three generations sitting down to Sunday lunch the prices are reasonable and the décor classic Expect to pay about €35 per head.• Carrer d'Enric Granados 89 A top-quality restaurant in the heart of Puerto de la Cruz The steaks are particularly good and reasonably priced I'd recommend their queso asado (toasted goat's cheese with Canarian sauces); the house steak with bacon apple and onion; papas arrugadas con mojo (small potatoes boiled and wrinkled in sea salt with local garlic and chilli sauce); and half a litre of local wine.• Calle El Peñón an original Spanish dish of breadcrumbs fried with chorizo and olive oil Accompany your meal with Viña Urbezo 2009 red wine which Luis the friendly proprietor – a former tax officer – will surely suggest and you are bound to have a delicious traditional dinner in this family-run restaurant.• Calle de los Estébanes 4 Minimum four-night stay at €110 a day.indigo100 Tucked down one of the many narrow streets in the Santa Cruz district is this jawdropping 16th-century palace built by an Indian viceroy. The vast baths are vaulted, with stuccoed Mudéjars, antique lanterns and Roman seating. Float around in the incense-filled chambers - it's a truly magical experience. All this and fragrant tea!Calle Aire 15, +34 (0) 955 010 025, airedesevilla.comMrsfifties In Madrid's biggest and budget-priced food market you can find stands with exotic also fresh fish from Spain's coasts and spices for every combination of ingredients It makes cooking for every occasion a pleasure!Calle Bravo Murillo 122Kathabel Among Barcelona's many museums, the most entertaining one is Cosmocaixa. The science museum has a lot of things to experiment with – very impressive. • Isaac Newton 26 , +34 (0) 932 126 050, fundacio.lacaixa.esTrobfr Genuine flamenco at Casa de la Memoria - great guitar playing, dancing and singing, all without the touristy food and drink. As a family, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it's a must if you visit this fantastic city.• Calle Ximenez de Enciso, 28, Santa Cruz district, +34 (0) 954 560 670, www.casadelamemoria.esSintra Travel guides compiled from the best readers' tips from ivebeenthere.co.uk 18 Feb 2016: Favourite Paris bistros: readers’ travel tips 2 Apr 2011: Readers tips: Spain's best beaches 17 Mar 2011: The best of Germany – as chosen by our readers Readers' travel tips index After enjoyining a magical walk around the city of Granada, what could be better than treating yourselves with delicious food and a cold beer? Granada… Tapas bar near the Arab baths, nestling alongside the river below the Alhambra. Holidaying on a shoestring. A couple of beers accompanied by free mammoth… Well worth the climb through the narrow, atmospheric streets of the old gypsy quarter, where you can imagine the spirit of Federico Garcia Lorca still… Los Diamantes is a tiny - blink and you'll miss it - local watering hole and tapas bar hidden on a bustling street full of touristy restaurants. The scrumptious… The Junta de Andalucía has given the green light to the environmental report to widen a six-kilometre section of the A-356 road as it passes Vélez-Málaga on the eastern Costa del Sol. The project to widen the six-kilometre stretch of the A-356, or Carretera del Arco, from El Trapiche to the junction with A-7 motorway has been pending for more than two decades. The action is expected to cost 30 million euros. Traffic jams in this area have been getting worse in recent years as a result of the significant increase in traffic on this road which goes up to Alhama de Granada, especially on the six-kilometre stretch from the junction of the A-7 Mediterranean motorway to the El Trapiche junction. This is due to the traffic of lorries heading for the Parque Tecnoalimentario, where there are twenty companies already established, and the industrial estate of the largest cooperative of subtropical fruit, avocados and mangoes in the country, Trops, also located in El Trapiche. This section of the A-356 carries up to 27,000 vehicles a day, according to the newly approved environmental study, to which SUR has had access. Traffic jams are kilometres long between the different roundabouts, especially in the early morning and lunchtime rush hours. According to the document published in the Official Bulletin of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA) on 15 January, the widening of the road from two to four lanes "has been planned in general to be carried out on the right-hand side of the current road, representing a substantial improvement in the geometric characteristics of the road, while allowing the existing accesses to be organised and considerably increasing the capacity and level of service". In its report, the regional government proposes the construction of 1,200 linear metres of acoustic screens which will be approximately three metres high, "in order to reduce, as far as possible, the impact on nearby houses, as well as the laying of sound-reducing asphalt along 5,700 metres, which will greatly reduce this impact and improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of these buildings". According to the official document from the regional administration, once the road is widened, the final standard section will have two carriageways with two lanes of 3.5 metres each, two outer verges of 2.5 metres, two inner verges of one metre and a central reservation of three metres. Once the environmental report has been approved, the Junta will continue with the procedures for tendering and executing the project, although no deadlines have been specified. Registered office Málaga, Avda. Dr. Marañón, 48. The possibility of creating a ‘Vía Verde de la Axarquía’ (Axarquía Greenway) in the municipalities of Alcaucín, Periana and La Viñuela in Malaga province, and Alhama de Granada could be getting closer. The Gerencia de Vías Verdes de la Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles (greenways department of the Spanish railway foundation) has submitted the feasibility study for the project, which was announced in February, to the Andalusian regional government. The study looks at developing the old railway line between Vélez-Málaga and Ventas de Zafarraya (Granada), a 20-kilometre stretch between La Viñuela and Ventas de Zafarraya, as a greenway. The document contains a detailed analysis of the ownership of the land and the physical and legal parameters, as well as an estimated cost according to a press release. Meetings have been held with the town halls involved, the Junta de Andalucía and Malaga’s provincial authority, the Diputación de Málaga. The idea is to provide Alcaucín, Periana, La Viñuela and Alhama de Granada with a supra-municipal public space that can be used as a road for local transport in some sections, according to the press release. The proposal also considers issues such as “the insufficient use of the tourist potential and the need to improve the offer of inland tourism and integrate it with the offer of the coast”. The Vía Verde de Entre Ríos will also see its extension project between El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cadiz) completed. The Diputación de Cádiz and the Spanish Railway Foundation held meetings in June with the different town halls involved and the Junta de Andalucía to extend the project, whose feasibility study was already carried out by the foundation in 2018. Since 1993, the foundation’s engineering team has developed nearly 75 construction projects for the refurbishment of disused railway lines as greenways, as well as more than fifty feasibility studies and preliminary projects, all commissioned by the respective public administrations and greenway promoters. Zafarraya and Ventas de Zafarraya lie on the border between Malaga and Granada provinces in the Alhama, Tejeda and Almijara mountain range, with the Axarquía area to the south and the town of Alhama de Granada to the north. The 'boquete de Zafarraya'; is a large gap which appears in the mountains, almost like an enormous door between the two provinces. According to some historians, the name Zafarraya comes from the Arabic Sai-arraya which means 'limit of territory', which makes sense given where the village lies. Other historians, including Purificación Ruiz García, in her paper about Zalia (Isla de Arriarán: cultural and scientific magazine, 2003) believe that the name stems from 'Fahaal-rayya', or 'Fahs arra a', which translates as "shepherds' field", alluding to the use of livestock as the main economy during Spain's Islamic period. The fertility of the area has led to the presence of man since ancient times, with the discovery of Zafarraya Man – the remains of a Neanderthal found in a cave in the vicinity in the early 1980s. Between 1981 and 83 and then 1990-'94, a team of researchers led by Cecilio Barroso Ruiz carried out a research project in the Zafarraya cave. Researchers of different nationalities and forty scientific institutions from five European countries took part in the project where the remains were found. During the middle ages the Cañada Real road passed through Zafarraya from Malaga to Granada. This route was protected by castles such as Zalía in the province of Malaga and Alhama. They occupied a strategic point of control and communication with the watchtowers of the Axarquía and warned of enemy invasion. There are also remains from the Phoenician and Roman periods in the area, as well as the Al-Andalus period. The problem of traffic jams on the Vélez-Málaga ring road, the A-356 or Carretera del Arco, on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, are far from new. They have been recurring for years, as a result of the increase in traffic on this road which connects with Alhama de Granada, especially on the six-kilometre stretch from the junction of the A-7 motorway to El Trapiche, just north of Vélez. In recent months the situation has worsened as a result of the works currently underway to remodel the Camino de Torrox, which have meant that the other exit from the A-7 to Vélez and Caleta de Vélez has been closed off. As such traffic jams are kilometres long between the different roundabouts, especially at peak times, coinciding with school start and finish times and people commuting to work. Added to the problem is the number of lorries coming to and from the Parque Tecnoalimentario, which is home to twenty companies, including Trops subtropical fruit cooperative. The project to widen this section of road has been delayed for more than a decade and public promises have not been kept. The Andalusian regional government is responsible for its execution. Both the previous socialist and the current PP governments have promised it, but so far no date has been set for the project. In mid-2022, the regional administration reactivated the project, valued at almost 30 million euros, with the opening of the public information period of the environmental authorisation of the project. Since then, no further progress has been made. According to the documentation, the project, drawn up by María Dolores de la Rúa, under the direction of Fernando Vílchez in December 2012, and revised seven years later, in December 2019, would entail an investment of 29.8 million euros. The project includes the widening of the current two-way road along a stretch of almost six kilometres, from the junction with the A-7 Mediterranean motorway to the junction at El Trapiche. Last September mayor of Vélez-Málaga, Jesús Lupiáñez (PP) met with the Junta’s spokesperson for development, planning and housing, Rocío Díaz. The aim of the meeting was to reactivate the project, the tender and the execution of the widening of the A-356 and the two politicians met again last week. They discussed the environmental impact report and announced that the budget will be increased to 40 million euros. The Mayor of Alhama de Granada (in Granada province), Jesús Ubiña (PP), with whom Lupiáñez had already met a few weeks ago, was also present at the previous meeting. The two councillors want to improve communication between Vélez-Málaga and Alhama de Granada, and the widening of the A-356, which would have two lanes in each direction, "would be a vital work to promote it and reduce the time between the two municipalities," acknowledged Lupiáñez. At the meeting, an improvement plan was also requested for the A-402, which connects the Boquete de Zafarraya with Axarquía, "also a fundamental work in improving communications", according to the mayor of Velez. As SUR has learnt, one of the issues being negotiated between the town hall and the Junta and which is causing differences of opinion is the possible layout of the two new lanes. The regional administration is in favour of widening the road on the side closest to the town centre, which is owned by Vélez-Málaga town hall, which would affect public areas such as the cycle lane and part of the green corridor built in recent years. However, according to the town hall, on the other side, in the direction of Torre del Mar, those affected would be private individuals who have businesses such as nurseries, delaying the project even further. At the end of the summer the alarm bells went off in Játar and the Alhama region of Andalucía's Granada province. This was not surprising as the owners of Los Ángeles bar, Pepe García Hernández and his sister Mari Carmen, had decided to close their doors due to retirement. This meant that this village of around 580 inhabitants, was left without an establishment where people could dine, socialise, and enjoy its famed 'choto' (kid goat). Fortunately, the uncertainty lasted barely a month, as the mayor of Játar, Alexander Leo Van Oepen, of German origin, and Miguel Bastida, a local, decided that this could not happen, so they decided to become partners and, after a facelift and some work, reopened the doors on 23 October for residents and numerous visitors who come, especially at weekends, from across Granada province and Malaga. Van Oepen, known as 'Chani', arrived in Játar as a child, following in the footsteps of his aunt who emigrated to Spain. At the age of 14 he entered active politics, becoming a close collaborator, for two decades, of the previous socialist mayor, Francisco J. Martín Rodríguez, and succeeded him in office in the last elections. In terms of priorities, Van Oepen is very clear that the future of his village lies in "transforming the economy and promoting tourism" by diversifying economic activity beyond agriculture. One of his main objectives is to turn Játar into a leading tourist destination, taking advantage of its natural environment, the quality of its waters, and focusing on hiking, rural getaways and mycology (it has a mycological museum). The two partners are committed to preserving the essence of Los Ángeles bar. The establishment was started by the García Hernández family back in 1957. Pepe and Mari Carmen's father, a carpenter by trade, decided to change his profession and open this bar-restaurant a stone's throw from the central Plaza Primero de Mayo. It is one of the jewels in the crown of Malaga province's plant life despite not being as well-known as the Spanish fir (pinsapo) or some other plant species. However, Ophris atlantica attracts many orchid enthusiasts every spring. Among them are those who travel around different regions and even countries with a spotter's list so they can note down which of these unique plants they have seen with their own eyes. "In the next few days, members of an Italian association will be coming to see it", explained Manuel Becerra, an expert on the subject and author of a substantial collection of books on these plants, together with his wife, Estrella Robles. The latest book - Orquídeas Silvestres de la Provincia de Málaga - came out just a few days ago and was presented at the Jornadas Andaluzas de Orquideoflora, one of the most important events for this area of botany in Spain. This particular orchid has been chosen for the cover of this new essential guide that shows the diverse range of these plants in Malaga province. "It is the orchid with the largest labellum [the central, larger flower petal where bees land to feed and pollinate] in Europe", explained Becerra. Like other orchids, this one tries to trick insects into pollinating it. In this particular case, the plant has a labellum that resembles the dark blue abdomen of bumblebees, so that they land on them in preference to other surrounding plant species. In particular, this part of the flower has a metallic, shiny hue to it and is shaped like a saddle, making it easy to identify for those in the know or for anyone with a guidebook such as that written by Becerra and Robles. The orchid is not exclusive to the province and can be found in other parts of Andalucía such as certain areas of Granada, Almeria and Cadiz, but orchid enthusiasts are more likely to find them in Malaga. It is just one of the many possible orchids that can be seen in the province, especially in spring. Among the spring varieties is the Ophrys alpujata (yellow bee orchid), which is exclusive to Malaga. In fact, it is only known to grow in the area around Monda and El Juanar (Ojén). This orchid has been listed since 2019. Another much-sought-after orchid is the Ophrys quarterae, endemic to the south of the peninsula with confirmed sightings and samples from both Malaga province and Portugal although, as Manuel Becerra notes, Malaga has better clusters. To this list can also be added ophrys vernixia (mirror orchid), protected in Andalucía and with one of the largest clusters in the world in Archidona, the Malaga town that has done plenty in recent years to promote scientific studies of this type of plant, which has helped to increase the popularity of these plants across Europe. At the same time, attendees were given the chance to photograph some specimens to take part in the hotly-contested annual photo competition to conclude the event that, for just a few days, turns Archidona into the epicentre of this wave of passion for orchids. There are more and more people of international origin living in Granada. The foreign-born population registered in the province is more than four times the number registered this time twenty years ago according to the historical series of continuous census data made available to the public by Spain's INE national statistics institute. In 2002, for example, this group was made up of 15,857 people, while in 2022, the last year for which there is confirmed data, that figure climbed to 69,157, i.e. more than three times as many, or 336 per cent. The monitoring of the data shows how the variation in the political and economic situation has been a significant driver of the changes observed in these two decades. The first major upturn in the number of registered foreigners occurred between 2002 and 2005, the years immediately after the introduction of the euro, the incorporation of up to 12 new countries into the European Union and the signing and ratification of treaties such as those of Nice and Lisbon. During those years, year-on-year increases of more than 40 per cent were seen and the trend continued to rise until 2008, when the effect of the economic crisis led many people who had come to Grenada in search of a better life to return to their countries of origin. The trend then reversed, and year-on-year variations were negative between 2012 and 2017, by when the United Kingdom was already fully immersed in the Brexit debate with the referendum on remaining in the EU taking place in 2016. By 2018, this political context, coupled with the slow but steady improvement in economic data, led to a return to positive growth in the number of foreigners in the province, a trend that progressively gained strength until 2020, when the effect of the pandemic slowed down the numbers. Although the figures have not returned to negative figures, they are more limited; in 2022, for example, there were 2.65% more foreign-born people living in Granada than in the previous year, while in 2018 and 2019 the figure had remained above six points in both cases. In any case, the overall calculation leaves a clear interpretation: an increase in foreigners in the overall population of Granada. Whereas in 2002 they represented just 1.94% of the total, today they represent 7.5%, i.e. approximately one in every 13 inhabitants. A break down by municipality shows that growth has been quite uneven among the different areas of Granada, driven mainly by two different types of migratory processes. One, for reasons of work, with people moving to places with strong seasonal agricultural production, for example. Another shows people coming for holidays, leisure or retirement, with the proliferation of second homes in areas such as the Costa Tropical or the Alpujarra, where it is not uncommon to find foreign families in search of an alternative lifestyle. With respect to 2003 - the first year for which the INE offers data broken down by localities - among the municipalities where the foreign population has increased the most over the total census in absolute terms are Cástaras (+32%), Jete (+29%), Gualchos (+27%), Albuñol (+26%) and Torrenueva Costa (+22%); with the exception of the first which is located in the Alpujarra, this 'top five' is made up almost exclusively of coastal municipalities. In sixth place is Zafarraya in Alhama de Granada, an area that offers a lot of agricultural work. In the case of Granada city the foreign population increased by 4.5%. In 2022 as many as one in four of the province's municipalities, 45 out of 174, had at least one foreign inhabitant for every ten. Once again, the highest percentages are recorded mainly among municipalities with access to the coast and in the Alpujarra, where depopulation among Spanish people has had an influence. The first positions are occupied by Polopos, Albuñol and Gualchos, all of which are on the Costa Tropical, and where at least one out of every three registered inhabitants was born outside Spain. The Alpujarra is represented by towns such as Cástaras, Carataunas, Órgiva and Cáñar; in all of them, foreign residents account for more than 25% of the total. There are only four municipalities in the whole province where foreign residents account for less than 1% of the total. These are Torre-Cardela, Alicún de Ortega, Gobernador and Montejícar. There are 11 population centres in which there are fewer than ten inhabitants of foreign origin such as Guadix or Los Montes, Morelábor, Albuñán, Alamedilla, Beas de Guadix and Dehesas de Guadix, among others. The Balcón de Europa is arguably one of the most iconic sites in Nerja, along with the caves. The emblematic viewpoint, which provides panoramic views of the Mediterranean coast, Sierra Almijara mountain range and the town, was for centuries the site of a mediaeval castle known as Castillo Bajo (low castle). The historic landmark welcomes thousands of people every day who come to enjoy the spectacular views and is affectionately known by Nerja residents as ‘El Paseo’. However, local historians including Federico Bomberelli, Francisco Capilla and the lawyer and researcher Pablo Rojo claim that it was not the king who gave the Balcón its name but that there is evidence to suggest that it was already known by that name before his visit. Most locals will tell you that is how the Balcón de Europa got its name, but according to the documentation found in the town’s historical archive and research carried out by Federico Bombarelli in 1986, Pablo Rojo in 1990 and Paco Capilla in 2013, there is evidence that before the arrival of the king on 20 January 1885, there were documents (dated 4 January 1885, 1854 and 1839, respectively) which confirm that it was already called Balcón de Europa. "To the above, we add this document from the council meeting on 27 June 1874, more than 10 years before the monarch arrived in Nerja", explains Nerja Museum on its social networks. One of the documents is an application made by Antonio Arce Luque to build a warehouse on Calahonda beach "with the foundations of the public promenade, named Balcón de Europa, at the end". "The application was approved and Antonio Arce Luque, who had a textile shop in Calle Puerta del Mar, was able to build his warehouse, which could be the building on the left of these photographs from the beginning of the 20th century", the museum explains with a post that shows several old photographs of the area. One year later, in 1875, Antonio Fernández Morfil and Gerónimo de Guevara y San Juan made applications to the Nerja town hall "to build two warehouses in Calahonda itself, but they were considered inappropriate as it was public land". A young member of an athletics club in Nerja has died in a tragic quad bike accident. Celia Bellicourt, 22, who was born in Almuñécar, was found dead after the vehicle on which she was travelling with a friend plunged into a ravine in Arenas del Rey (Granada province) on Thursday. A caller who witnessed the accident alerted the 112 Andalucía emergency services control room shortly before 1pm, telling the operators the young woman was not breathing and that her male companion was injured. An air ambulance, fire crews from Loja and Alhama de Granada, Plan Infoca firefighters and Guardia Civil officers rushed to the scene of the accident, SUR's sister newspaper Ideal reported. Paramedics confirmed the death of the young woman at the scene and the fire brigade crews recovered her body. The injured man was flown to hospital in Granada with multiple fractures. The circumstances of the accident are being investigated. The death of Celia Bellicourt is being mourned by the Nerja athletics club where she was a much loved member. The talented sprinter was a national medallist in relay races and was a competitor in the U-23 category. She combined her athletic career with her teaching studies and will be remembered by all who knew her in Nerja for her indelible smile and commitment to the club. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. etnosur.com grajeras This tour is an unusual opportunity to see and learn about the Las Paleras archaeological site which has been discovered behind the castle on the hill behind Alhama de Murcia and begins at 9am on Saturday May 17 at the Tourist Office Las Paleras was a fortified settlement in the Moorish administrative area of Tudmīr and ítems found there show that it was inhabited between the 8th and 10th centuries It is quite common for this type of location to have been used for early settlements as the site is strategic and offers protection as well as good visibility of the surrounding area would have been built beneath the existing mediaeval castle as is the case in several other areas of the region offering protection for livestock and residents should danger threaten The settlement of which the remains have been found occupied an area of around 20,000 square metres and was surrounded by a wall with defensive towers In the highest part was a fortified castle which seems to have been among the first built by the Muslim conquerors of southern Spain after the year 712 and is influenced by the building style of the Middle East The town was destroyed by fire in the second half of the 10th century and was abandoned but Las Paleras will now form a part of the “Islamic Route” of Alhama de Murcia which links the Ibn Al-Jatib rout with the European itinerary of Almoravid and Almohad Culture in the Legacy of Al-Andalus between Murcia and Granada NOTE: The tour is being held in Spanish on the same day, 2 hours later and group bookings can be made on other dates through the tourist office.  Please consult the tourist office about the possibility of arranging group visits on other dates if required For more information about Alhama, including news and upcoming events, visit the local tourist office or go to the home page of Alhama Today Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro For more local information, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.  and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Also attach a photo to illustrate your article are combing the dramatic valleys and hilltop villages half an hour inland from Malaga for the perfect property “We are looking for somewhere that feels cut off yet is not too far from the coast,” says the 38-year-old from Herefordshire “The attraction is the affordability — it feels like a good time to buy in Spain.” Robinson is not the only buyer eschewing the Costas and in rural Andalusia your money can go a long way Prices fell 40 to 60 per cent after the 2008 property crash and have not bounced back Despite the extreme drought that has hit Malaga province nature continues to leave some hope in the form of snow On Tuesday 27 February the highest peaks of the Tejeda Almijara and Alhama mountain range in the Axarquía were covered in a fine white blanket for the second time this year; the first came as a late Christmas present in early January The snow followed a weather front that left 28mm of rain in Alfarnatejo On Monday evening there were thunderstorms accompanied by hail from the front which also gave the area some outstanding rainbows along the entire eastern coast of Málaga at 1,813 metres above sea level on Tuesday morning and from Vélez-Málaga snow could still be seen on the top of Malaga province’s highest mountain with no further precipitation forecast and a rise in temperatures in the coming days anyone interested in getting close to the snow will have to hurry but also be prepared for a walk of up to 10 hours for the round trip It is more accessible to reach the snow from the Granada side Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain There’s no doubt that most of us who have made the move to live in Spain feel incredibly lucky to be here There’s a lot to be grateful for; beautiful surroundings not to mention all the days of glorious sun and blue skies However, as the New Year approaches it’s a great time to reflect and think Here is some inspiration to help you get more from your Spanish experience Spending time doing something that we love does more than just enrich our lives. Recent studies show hobbies can make us more resilient against anxiety and depression, improve our overall health and sense of life satisfaction As arts and crafts often don’t centre around communication they can also be enjoyed by expatriates without a high level of the native language They can also be a great way to meet new people with similar interests Viator is a great site for finding creative activities to take part in Although the site is really aimed at tourists it’s a good way to find artists who run regular classes in your local area there’s plenty of activities to choose from Taking up a sport is one of the best new year’s resolutions a person can make Not only does getting active improve physical health but it is proven to boost self-esteem and help regulate our moods Group sporting activities also provide an important opportunity to socialise sport offers those expatriates a chance to get involved in something even if they are still working on learning the local language Sports are also an important part of the culture in Spain so they provide a great opportunity to make new connections As the following suggestions are sports which are all growing in popularity in Spain there are likely to be clubs in your local area: Thanks to Rafael Nadal, tennis is becoming the new sport of choice in Spain with clubs and courts popping up all over the country. Find one near you with Global Tennis Networks handy locator Standup paddle boarding is the world’s fastest-growing water sport, and has gained immense popularity in Spain in the past few years. Why? Because it gives a low-impact, full-body workout, and also has relaxing, meditative qualities making it great for all round well being. Try Yumping.com to find paddle boarding classes and clubs in your area Arguably the most important thing you can do to get more out of life in Spain is to learn the language it is easy to feel misunderstood or to misunderstand those around us really is the key to getting the most out of life abroad; making friends plus gaining more confidence with the cultural and legal aspects of life here There’s nothing more effective than immersion for learning a language That’s where expatriates have a distinct advantage everyday you are absorbing new vocabulary from signs All this helps new words become stored in your memory Tips for progressing your Spanish language skills: Total beginners will find apps like Duolingo encouraging and the course gives a decent, basic level of Spanish which you can then build upon. The key is to find a Spanish learning platform that suits you and commit to learning daily Maximise the effects of immersion by getting out there and interacting in Spanish as much as you can greeting local people in the shops and cafes can help build your ability to converse and improve your listening Watching films and TV in Spanish is also incredibly effective particularly for improving vocabulary and listening comprehension if you already have some knowledge of the language One of the challenges of moving abroad which is experienced by many people is a feeling of disconnection starting to build new connections for ourselves can feel daunting especially in an unfamiliar culture and speaking a new language Volunteering is a great way to rebuild that sense of connection and can give you back a sense of purpose Voluncloud is a Spanish app subsidised by the Spanish government that directly connects volunteers with those seeking volunteer services It offers a wide variety of volunteering opportunities across Spain to make a difference to the community and people’s lives we often pick an area to live where we have previously had holidays and that we are familiar with put the children in school and maybe start working But we shouldn’t stop exploring because Spain has so much to offer… and a bit of variety does us all good it’s possible to discover pretty new towns stunning landscapes and learn more about Spain’s history without having to travel far To start a new year of adventures try these ideas for weekend getaways: Cordoba; named ‘Spain’s most underrated city’ by British paper The Telegraph it’s the perfect place to discover more about Andalusia’s history by visiting its UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Mezquita For stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife and outdoor activities visit the Sierra Nevada mountains between Granada and Almeria Top your weekend off with a visit to the therapeutic Alhama de Granada hot springs To escape the tourists around the Costa Blanca try: The winding cobbled streets and picturesque coves of Benissa noble ladies and court jesters parading through the town as part of its Medieval fair and market The beautiful city of Elche it’s a lesser-known gem of the Alicante province Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish The town is only 60km from Jaén and 55km from Granada – a good bus service runs from both these cities – there's a good selection of hotels and restaurants, as well as a reasonably priced camping area. The festival attracts a host of performers from across the globe every year, and all of the events are absolutely free.+34 953 087373, etnosur.com youngfolksociety The "Los Baños" archaeological museum of Alhama de Murcia which is next to the church of San Lázaro at the foot of the hill on which the castle stands was created in order to preserve and protect the remains of the Moorish and Roman baths It's an interesting place to visit and not only houses a static exhibition relating to the spa history of Alhama de Murcia Click here to read the full history of Alhama de Murcia. Inside the centre the different recreational and medicinal areas are on display to the public and audiovisual aids are used to inform visitors about each area and each period of the spa's history Four different water sources are known to have originated in Alhama two of them inside the bathing complex itself and a fourth around 12 kilometres from the town emerging from the ground at 36 degrees centigrade The first spas were built here in the first century AD by the Romans and were used until around the beginning of the 4th century There is evidence of two distinct areas within the Roman remains: one dedicated to therapeutic and medicinal functions and the other for leisure The medicinal area consisted of two rooms with a communal swimming pool and "lucernario cenitales" a series of holes in the roof through which the vapours could escape The second space contained all the various bathing stages which were habitual in the Roman world with the exception of the aposyterium or dressing room: the cold room (or frigidarium) the warm room (tepidarium) and the hot room (caldarium) This last space was heated via an oven which circulated the hot air below the floors and through specially created cavities within the walls The bather would complete the circuit twice and then working back down through the three baths to the cold bath at the end of the session Following the decline of the Romans during the 4th century AD the baths fell into disrepair but were then re-used by the Arabs when they took control of the area during the 8th century. Daily bathing was a ritual in the Arab culture and these medicinal hot springs were a magnet for the new occupiers of the land The Roman baths in Alhama were not the only ones re-used by the Arabs during their centuries of occupation as archaeological evidence shows that those in both Archena and Fortuna were also re-used during this period The Moors made use of the original Roman vaulted baths by cutting new light holes into the roof and extended the facilities creating two extra rooms around the sources of hot water (one each for men and women although women were only permitted to bathe once a week on Thursdays!) It was during this period that the town of Alhama was given its name: "Al-hâmman" means the town of the hot bath Among the many sources citing the existence of the baths during the Arab occupation the most important is that of Al-Idrisi who spoke of the town in his description of the journey from Almería to Murcia He makes reference to "Hisn al-Hamma" making it clear that there was already a fortress above the baths and the thermal water springs it seens that by the mid-16th century the baths were once more in use: even before then Hieronoymus Münzer mentioned the existence of "a thermal spring with clear water" and another German traveller in 1557 reported that Alhama had waters which cured colic amongst other illnesses (although he added that the baths were in some need of repairs) the Franciscans established a hospice next to the church of the Virgen de la Concepción so that the sick could reside there and take advantage of the warm waters and the waters continued to be used in one way or another for the next 200 years But in 1848 the hospice was demolished to allow the construction of a luxurious new hotel This was the start of the age of splendour of the thermal baths of Alhama with the addition of new bathing areas in the basement floor and the construction of a grand hotel above with modern facilities and social function rooms which became home to a busy social programme and were patronised by the wealthy middle classes from all over Spain a public bath was created to allow even the poorest of the locals to bathe The Balneario continued to enjoy an era of splendour until the outbreak of Civil War in 1936 the rubble covering 2,000 years of bathing history before the arcaheological museum once again brought the site to life Visiting the Museo Arqueológico Los Baños The museum is located at Calle Sánchez Vidal nº 5 and enquiries can be made by telephone on 968 630776 or my email at museoarqueologico@alhamademurcia.es 15th September to 27th May: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00 27th May to 30th June: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00 1st July to 31st August: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 to 13.30 and Thursdays 18.00 to 20.00 Tickets for cultural events at the Teatro Cine Velasco are also sold from the Archaeological Museum Visiting the Museum can also be included as part of the free guided audio tour offered in English by the tourist office during normal opening hours The tour takes about an hour and a half and is available free on a daily basis enabling visitors to discover the interesting historical locations around the town and discover the hidden historical gems in the backstreets Click for free guided audiotour of Alhama de Murcia For more local information about Alhama de Murcia in English, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.  Sebastián García Acosta considers himself a true lover of nature The 63-year-old from Frigiliana has spent the last 40 years tirelessly travelling around the mountains of Malaga province and other areas of Spain including the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra de Gredos to immortalise one of the country's most iconic wild animals; the mountain goat This devotion has now been captured in Vivencias con el Macho Montés (experiences with the male mountain goat) a book that includes over 200 photographs of the wild animal García Acosta began hunting wild animals and has now been photographing them for more than 40 years The book is a compilation of his work in El Torcal in Antequera Maro cliffs and Cerro Gordo in the Axarquía the 'Badlands' of Granada and the Sierra de Gredos fauna and most spectacular landscapes of what he considers "his sierra" – an area he has been exploring since he was a child The book is divided into four chapters: mating season The latter is the specimen that has most captivated García Acosta in his four decades of following this wild animal; it is a large male with antlers of more than 90 centimetres unfortunately I know that it was finally killed by a poacher," he says and calls for "more vigilance and control" by the authorities to curb "such deplorable" practices as poaching The book shows different moments in the life of these mountain goats such as behavioural patterns during mating season with a sea of clouds in the background - a curious meteorological phenomenon that is increasingly rare in the Sierra Tejeda Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of García Acosta's book can contact him directly by calling or messaging: 667 440 833 It is a dish of 'marengo' (from the sea) origin but they are not only prepared in beachfront establishments Although the coast's famous 'espetos' are usually found at restaurants and bars along the beaches of the Costa del Sol it is also possible to sample the iconic dish in several Malaga province towns further inland Instead of sea breezes and views of the Mediterranean the surroundings are more rural and the mountains are the main attraction Many of the inns and restaurants that have opted to add chargrilled sardines on skewers to their menus are located in relatively quiet places In the Malaga district of Puerto de la Torre there are wood fires full of embers ready to grill those skewered sardines that lean over the heat it does have its own boat for grilling sardines in this traditional way The owner of the business says that he has been making espetos in this Malaga district all his life where you can order a plate of espetos any day throughout summer The price of an espeto of five sardines is four euros in the centre of Malaga there is another atypical option for eating espetos which for decades has been one of the few places in the city to maintain the custom of grilling sardines using this traditional method In another of Malaga's outer districts - Churriana - there are also some options for eating espetos without having to be right next to the beach located next to the road to Coín (very close to the MA-21 road) The espeto trail runs through the city of Malaga with several landmark eateries in the district of Campanillas that typically offer espetos when summer arrives In a municipality in the Guadalhorce valley which is also considered part of the metropolitan area of Malaga which also prepares with great care the 'espeto de sardinas' in high season is strongly committed to seafood and Mediterranean cuisine in general there is another option for sampling espetos at XeitoMar seafood restaurant the town of Coín can also boast of giving people the chance to eat sardines grilled on those metal skewers namely the well-known Venta Casa Pedro Lucena where espetos form part of the summer menu Many Coín residents and people from other nearby places flock to this restaurant to try their sardines Another option in the Guadalhorce Valley area is usually provided in summer by Mesón Carrión also a roadside restaurant located in the municipality of Álora While most known for specialising in meat dishes the espetos put in an appearance on their summer menu there is a roadside establishment that has been preparing 'espetos de sardinas' for years located in the rural hamlet of El Trapiche next to the A-356 that links Vélez with Alhama de Granada Since April their boat has been in place with hot embers ready for all the fish orders to go on the spit Not only sardines but also larger fish end up on those skewers These are just a few examples of eateries further inland that are still capable of cooking a tasty espeto even though This tour is an unusual opportunity to see and learn about the Las Paleras archaeological site which has been discovered behind the castle on the hill behind Alhama de Murcia, and begins at 10.00 at the Los Baños archaeological museum Los Colmenarejos ravine in the Sierras Tejeda Almijara and Alhama mountain range lies on the border of Malaga and Granada provinces Located just one kilometre from the village of Maro it is home to a large abandoned limestone quarry which for more than two decades has been a graveyard for around twenty industrial vehicles and heavy machinery The site has frequently been targeted by vandals and thieves The former quarry was sealed off by Nerja town hall on 20 July 2000 and for more than a decade tried to fight the courts to allow it to reopen At that time the contract had not expired and only three of the 10 hectares of of the quarry had been exploited as was the case with another quarry located in Canillas de Albaida which is still active despite also being located within the boundaries of the same mountain range the courts upheld the decision of Nerja town hall and the quarry remained closed has been trying to obtain permission from the local and regional administrations to remove all the heavy machinery that has remained there since its closure he is still having to pay a mining tax and has not been reimbursed for a guarantee he paid when he started mining there in 1984 "I am 62 years old and I want to put an end to all this once and for all It has given me so many headaches," Rodríguez who has a fleet of lorries in Vélez-Málaga The businessman has stressed that the town hall is "finally very interested in solving this that I take the machinery away from there and that the old quarry is restored" bureaucracy has delayed the solution over the years as several departments of the Junta de Andalucía are also involved in the case Rodríguez has told SUR that the old machinery's value on the scrap market "will barely reach 30,000 or 40,000 euros" and said that it would cost him more to remove it what I want is for them to leave me alone and get all that machinery out of there once and for all.” even if the Junta gives him the go-ahead soon removing the abandoned heavy machinery and restoring the areas cannot be start before autumn He pointed out that this type of activity is prohibited during summer due to the high risk of fire as it would involve using blowtorches and other flammable devices The situation of this old aggregate quarry hides a conflict that began more than two decades ago when the Junta was processing the declaration of the Sierras Tejeda Almijara and Alhama as a protected natural park in November 1999 At the time Nerja town hall announced that the licence to exploit the quarry had expired It is located next to the Arroyo de la Miel site which was subsequently used as an illegal dump for 18 years The latter led to a trial implicating the mayor of Nerja José Alberto Armijo the councillor for urban planning and six local construction business owners All were acquitted earlier this year although the public prosecutor who was asking for two years in prison and 18 months of disqualification which is located just one kilometre from the old quarry is considered to be one of the most spectacular rock formations in the Axarquía formed by the erosion of rocks over billions of years popularly known as ‘el puente de piedra’ (stone bridge) the Junta is reviewing the site with a view to carrying out environmental restoration work "to the value of more than 100,000 euros" The coordinator of environmental action group has said that they will raise a question about the abandoned machinery at a forthcoming meeting of the Sierras Tejeda "It is impossible not to see the environmental impact it generates I remember that it was discussed before and it was said that the matter was between the business owner and the town hall but things cannot go on forever,” Yus said It may not be the biggest province in Andalucía but Malaga can justifiably boast of having more protected natural areas than most and this important heritage has grown even more with the recent classification of the Sierra de las Nieves as a national park The province is also home to five natural parks four nature reserves and 13 natural monuments among other places of environmental interest we take a look at some of the main protected areas of Malaga The three national parks in Andalucía are Doñana the Sierra Nevada in Granada and now the Sierra de las Nieves in Malaga which covers nearly 23,000 hectares of stunning mountain countryside as well as 75,120 hectares of prote cted land on the periphery and another 134,140 in areas of economic influence Seven municipalities are in the area with the highest protection: El Burgo If we look at a map of the national park we can see that much of it coincides with the Biosphere Reserveand the natural park which existed before A national park affords the highest level of protection possible in Spain and unlike a natural park there are many more restrictions regarding use partly due to the area being of greater scientific importance The Sierra de las Nieves has already been protected as a Biosphere Reserve since 1995 and this classification covers over 90,000 hectares in 12 municipalities: Alozaina since 2006 and together with other protected areas in the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga it has formed part of the Intercontinental Mediterranean Reserve which also includes hugely important enclaves in northern Morocco such as the Talassemtane natural park Malaga has another four natural parks although most are shared with neighbouring provinces This is the case with the Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales one of the smallest natural parks in Spain at just under 5,000 hectares At the moment there is also a movement from local residents and some politicians and councils who are calling for the Sierra de Mijas-Alpujata to be classified as a natural park This is because they want to protect its valuable ecosystem which is under threat from urban development on the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce Valley this will become the sixth naural park in Malaga Malaga is one of the provinces with the most protected nature reserves because of its size and its population of pink flamingos situated beside the village of the same name which is shared by Humilladero and Alameda and south-west of Fuente de Piedra is the Lagunas de Campillos complex where there are more than six wetland areas is the Lagunas de Archidona nature reserve the Chica (meaning small) and Grande (large) The waters and the immediate area around these reserves are all protected to preserve their important ecosystems RESIDENTS and visitors of Condado de Alhama, in the Region of Murcia are enduring a serious issue: an unbearable smell coming from the ornamental lake in the La Isla neighbourhood The local PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) is demanding that the mayor take immediate action to address this problem The PSOE has requested new technical reports from the town council to assess the current condition of the lake and determine if it poses health risks They also want access to the latest water quality analyses which has lowered the level needed for oxygenators to work This has led to foul odours and a buildup of sludge Residents have reported a range of health issues The PSOE criticised the mayor for avoiding responsibility and not providing the requested information They are now insisting that she address the issue urgently and not ignore her duties For more Costa Calida news and events click here When it comes to delivering dance floor heaters full of grit Miguel Bastida continues to perfect the game It is no shock that he would capture the hearts of tech house fans across the globe as he has always had an unyielding passion for his craft beginning his career when he was just a young teen in Granada In 2015 Miguel would hit a turning point with the chart-topping “Moudness,” allowing him to officially step into the limelight while landing him on the Toolroom Ibiza 2015 compilation These days he gets to bask in the success of tracks like his recently released “Soul Sunset” and Azid People EP while staying extra busy cultivating his entrepreneurial side through his personal Be One imprint We got to catch up with Miguel to have a little chat about everything from his history in the scene to the current state of affairs in Spain Check out his latest livestream set from the Elrow Show on YouTube and then continue on for the interview although there are certain areas in which significant outbreaks occur and the government puts us into confinement phases to control expansion it is a difficult situation that directly affects the development of our work in events so there is no other option than trying to take advantage of time in the studio Electronic music came into my life when I listened to it for the first time with some older cousins in their car when we went around the town it was there when I really started to enjoy all those tapes (cassettes) playing in the car I was able to collaborate with a local radio station in Alhama de Granada where they already had some CDs with which I began to test my first mixes A year later they gave me a couple of Technics and so I began my journey with vinyl At 16 my head was full of musical ideas and always found myself trying to create something mentally when listening to music from others The introduction from my German colleague to the Rebirth and Reason radio show allowed me to capture those first ideas that came to me that I still have today YES! I met Sonny for the first time several years ago He invited me to play in the UK for one of his Solotoko showcases and I had such a great time so I thought that something more catchy with soul touches could fit his Solotoko style for a release on the label so we prepared the single launch at full blast I was looking for a vocal that could fit with the bass line The vocal has a beautiful Soul/R&B sound that elevates the track into a whole new dimension This EP perfectly captures my idea of energetic Tech House Great sounds in which the silences to leave instruments or vocals in the foreground play a very important role That’s why “Azid People” is defined with vocal cuts in solo mode accompanied by a great acid bass with distortions On “The Bug” the same idea comes into play but with a different feeling The synthesizers on this occasion are the protagonists always supporting new artists and bringing out a really punctured because the thousands of hours invested in my passion have led me to where I am but when you create a professional job from your passion you have to change your behavior to certain things that you like or they do not exist in this music industry despite having made thousands of creations allows you to wake up every day wanting to capture more and more ideas it never stops bringing positive feelings in my life even though storms or pandemics may come To be honest I don’t know what to think of the Coronavirus I don’t know what purpose and values it has on economics and massive social manipulation and other limiting aspects towards the human being What I can tell you is that I try to do my best as people are dying and pour all my attention into being responsible to others and to set an example of how to do things well This means meeting the standards with the appropriate sanitary measures that the government or agencies dictate although it is not entirely in accordance with the purpose and values I commented on before I wish the world will be free again so that they do not continue imparting fear in us but only respect and love for our neighbor We also have to be connected through socials so we can continue to show our work and spread joy in these difficult times The scene is being punished by the pandemic it is a great opportunity to stop a little bit of this fast-life we had and thus be able to appreciate what we have a little bit more but we will have to wait since the transmission with Elrow has been recent and we like to leave a little time between each streaming Regarding the use of streaming more assiduously because of the lockdown I think the musical product has been saturated with hundreds or thousands of weekly streams and this has made me more cautious regarding them I don’t like to do what most people do and I prefer to spend time on my own and personal things that are different from the others Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud | YouTube Granada has a moderate level of seismic activity Based on data from the past 55 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900 there are about 1,100 quakes on average per year in or near Granada Granada has had at least 5 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900 which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently probably on average approximately every 23 to 27 years Granada has about 23.1 quakes of magnitude 3 or higher per year The quake had a very shallow depth of 20 km (12 mi) and was too small to be felt by people There were also 18 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel The quake had a very shallow depth of 12 km (7 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so).