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Spain's Top 10
Simple...a series of lists rating Spain's top 10 in anything and everything...they may be lists compiled by independent reviewers or by myself....whichever, I hope you find them useful :-)
New Year's Eve Superstitions in Spain
Spain is a generally a superstitious country and New Year's Eve is probably one of the most superstitious days of the year. Practically everyone participates in one or more superstitious rituals, whether it be eating the twelve grapes or toasting with a ring in your glass of champagne, everyone is wishing for better times or at least for things to not get any worse. Although it may seem silly for some, these little gestures do help many enter the new year with higher morale and greater hope for times to come... Will you join in with any this year? Here are the top 10 Spanish New Year's Eve superstitions...
1.EAT ALL OF THE 12 GRAPES
The eating of the grapes is one of the most ingrained rituals in Spanish culture on New Year's Eve. So that the new incoming year will be a success you must chew and swallow all twelve grapes. If you are able, try to visualise how you would like your new year to be in between each grape. They say that this visualisation ensures good results…
2. SOMETHING RED...
Traditionally the colour red has always symbolised prosperity, especially in love, so it is no surprise that in Spain people choose to wear red underwear or a piece of red lingerie on New Year's Eve, hoping that it will help bring them luck and prosperity for the following 365 days.
3. A RING IN A GLASS OF CAVA
Just before you toast the New Year you should place a gold ring in your cava / champagne glass. You need to be very careful with this tradition especially when it's time to drink! On more than one occasion someone has swallowed the ring due to the emotion of the moment. It is said that this simple gesture will bring money throughout the following year, so it's a popular custom all over the country.
4. WISH LIST
This tradition dictates that before dinner one must write a list with three wishes for the New Year. Fold up the list and place it somewhere on your body where it touches your skin throughout the dinner and once the clock strikes twelve, burn the list so that your wished come true during the year.
5. KISS SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX
If you want to find a partner in the New Year this gesture may well help you. Tradition has it that the first person you kiss in the New Year should be of the opposite sex, that way it will help you find your other half even quicker.
6. RIGHT FOOT...
Many people use the phrase in Spain "enter with your right foot" and many take it to the limits on New Year's Eve. It means that the first foot to step and touch the floor as soon as the countdown has been completed must be your right foot. This way you will guarantee good luck throughout the year.
This tradition dictates that the colours of the candles invoke a certain fortune: Blue will bring peace and tranquillity, Red will bring passion, Yellow brings abundance, green will bring good health etc. So depending on what you are hoping for, decorate your house with coloured candles.
8. ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED ON
It is believed that with all the lights on in your house, no corner is left unlit. So when midnight is approaching have all the lights on in your house, this way the New Year will come with clarity and without lies or negative energy.
9. LENTILS
This tradition is imported from Italy where they say if you eat lentils during the last day of the year or immediately after midnight (even if it is just a spoon) you will guarantee prosperity for the following year.
10. A BUCKET OF WATER
For those who believe in energy, this will probably be your favourite. It involves filling a bucket with water throughout the morning of the last day of the year. When it reached midnight it is believed that the bucket has absorbed all of the bad energy in the household and consequently it is emptied down the toilet or down a drain never to be seen again.
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In 2021 it's time to get out and discover the Spain
I started out wanting to compile a list of Spain's top 10 most magical places but I have to be honest it was impossible to narrow it down to 10 and even harder to order from 1 to 10. So I gave up and decided to create a shortlist as follows. It is not in any particular order. Feel free to leave a comment on any place in the list you have visited or any place you think should have been included!
1. Natural Park of Forest Corona (Tenerife)
This predominantly forested area encircles the Teide National Park and is home to some of the best examples of pine and high-altitude vegetation on Tenerife. The heads of a large number of the ravines that form the drainage system of the north and south of Tenerife are located here, meaning that the area plays a vitally important role in capturing water and protecting the land against erosion.
The area boasts a host of geomorphic features, the most impressive being the immense La Orotava and Güímar valleys. Other fascinating and unique geographical structures include the lunar landscape above the town of Vilaflor and Cuevas Negras to the north of Pico Viejo.
A number of threatened species can be found in the high biodiversity of native flora and fauna of the area, as well as many other species protected by national laws and international agreements. It is a magnificent sanctuary for pine forest birds, of which there are a number of native species. Many of the geomorphic features (ravines, vents, recent lava flows, etc.) are representative of the geology of the island. The area is of exceptional beauty and value.
2. Ordesa National Park (Huesca)
The National Park is part of the Pyrenees and Monte Perdido National Park which was declared a World Heritage site in 1997 by the UNESCO. Since 1977, a part of the park has also been inside the Ordesa-Viñamala Biosphere Reserve.
It is an incredibly beautiful place with a landscape of towering summits. It has a wide variety of ecosystems with both an Atlantic and Mediterranean influence, which is what gives it such a rich and diverse flora and fauna. The scenery is dominated by the great massif of Monte Perdido (3,355 m), with the peaks of the Tres Sorores branching out into the valleys of Ordesa, Pineta, Añisclo and Escuaín.
3. The Alhambra (Granada)
The Alhambra was originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 and then largely ignored until its ruins were renovated and rebuilt in the mid-13th century by the Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar of the Emirate of Granada, who built its current palace and walls. It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. Alhambra's Islamic palaces, as we know them today, were built for the last Muslim emirs in Spain and the court of the Nasrid dynasty. After the conquest of Granada by the Reyes Católicos ("Catholic Monarchs") in 1492, some portions were used by Christian rulers
4. Pyramids of Güímar (Tenerife)
The Pyramids of Güímar refer to six rectangular pyramid-shaped, terraced structures, built from lava stone without the use of mortar. They are located in the district of Chacona, part of the town of Güímar on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. The structures have been dated to the 19th century AD and their original function may well be explained as a byproduct of contemporary agricultural techniques.
Other pyramids employing the same methods and materials of construction can be found in various sites on Tenerife. In Güímar itself there were nine pyramids, only six of which survive.
5. Médulas (Leon)
The town of Las Médulas is located in the region of El Bierzo, Leon. This small mountain town marks the natural beginning of the ascent towards Las Médulas, a unique cultural landscape that was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.
The serrated relieve of this landscape, marked by red clayey mountains and covered by chestnut trees, owes its appearance to the Romans, who altered the natural environment in this area when they established a gold mine in the 1st century AD.
For this purpose they came up with an ingenious system called "ruina montium", which used water force to crumble down the soil and expose the gold.
The two centuries that this type of mining went on, caused the formation of the peculiar relieve of Las Médulas. Red-clay erosion gullies, towers, and underground galleries, all surrounded by chestnut trees, make up this cultural landscape. Peaks higher than 100 metres lead to the centre of the gold mine, the Cueva Encantada (Enchanted Cave) and Cuevona (the Huge Cave).
Eight kilometres away from Las Médulas, the viewpoint of Orellán offers one of the best views of the whole place.
6. Ucanca Valley, Teide National Park (Tenerife)
The natural boundaries of Teide National Park are marked by a grandiose, spectacular caldera. The Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano formed inside this elliptical depression, which measures 16 x 11 km.
The name Las Cañadas comes from the plains at the foot of the caldera escarpment, which were used as a cattle route (known as "cañada" in Spanish). The biggest plain is called Llano de Ucanca. The water that descends the walls is trapped inside, and so the elements that are dragged along with it settle and accumulate in the base, forming these plains.
The origin of Las Cañadas caldera is a topic of debate, and there are two main hypotheses. The most likely theory is that it has been formed purely by erosion, with a valley that exits on the north face, in the municipality of Icod, which would now appear to be occupied by Teide lava flows. The other hypothesis is that there was a major collapse when a shallow magma chamber spewed out its contents at great speed.
7. Gaztelugatxe (Basque Country)
Gaztelugatxe is an islet on the coast of Biscay belonging to the municipality of Bermeo, Basque Country (Spain). It is connected to the mainland by a man-made bridge. On top of the island stands a hermitage (named Gaztelugatxeko Doniene in Basque; San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Spanish), dedicated to John the Baptist, that dates from the 10th century, although discoveries indicate that the date might be the 9th century. With another small neighboring island, Aketze, they form a protected biotope that extends from the town of Bakio until Cape Matxitxako, on the Bay of Biscay.
8. Irati (Navarra)
The Irati Forest is the second largest and best preserved beech and fir forest in Europe, an immense green mantle of some 17,000 hectares that is still in an almost unspoiled state. Standing among the western Pyrenees of Navarre, the Irati Forest is accessed from the picturesque villages of Ochagavía and Orbaitzeta and is a natural treasure in which you can find the protected areas of Mendilatz and Tristuibartea and the Lizardoia Integral Reserve.
Sit down in the heart of the forest and enjoy communing with nature; let yourself be enveloped in a silence broken only by the wild rushing of water between beeches and firs. Admire the crystalline currents of the river Irati that turn turquoise in the Irabia reservoir and listen out for the elusive sounds of the fauna and stroll across the soft blanket of grass that covers the Irati Forest. The scent of the woods will impregnate itself in your skin.
9. Mosque and Roman bridge in Cordoba
The view over the Mosque-Cathedral, with the river, the Gate of the Bridge and the Roman Bridge of Cordoba itself, is one of the most wonderful sights of Cordoba, especially at dusk, when the last rays of the sun linger on and make the stone surfaces glow a deep golden red. The bridge was first built in the 1st century A.D., but has been rebuilt many times since then, and in its present form dates mainly from the Medieval period, with the latest changes being made in 1876. There are sixteen arches, four of which are pointed and the rest semi-circular. Halfway along the railing on one side is a 16th century statue of San Rafael by Bernabé Gómez del Río.
The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (World Heritage Site since 1984) is arguably the most significant monument in the whole of the western Muslim World and one of the most amazing buildings in the world in its own right. The complete evolution of the Omeyan style in Spain can be seen in its different sections, as well as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of the Christian part.
10. Source of the Urederra, Urbasa Andía Natural Park (Navarre)
The burbling of crystalline water, the light filtering among the leaves of the trees, bathing the landscape in a lime green light and the aroma of nature has made this place, listed as a nature reserve since 1987, one of Navarre's most spectacular enclaves.
The Source of the Urederra is located north of Estella-Lizarra. It is the natural outlet of the aquifer lying under the karstic massif of Urbasa. Its first emergence takes place at an altitude of 700 metres, on the southern edge of the plateau, with an impressive 100 metre fall that, over millions of years, has modelled a rocky amphitheatre of breathtaking beauty.
11. The Walls of Avila
The work was started in 1090 but most of the walls appear to have been rebuilt in the 12th century. The enclosed area is an irregular rectangle of 31 hectares with a perimeter of some 2,516 meters,including 88 semicircular towers. The walls have an average breadth of 3 metres and an average height of 12 metres. The nine gates were completed over several different periods. The Puerta de San Vicente (Gate of St Vincent) and Puerta del Alcazar (Gate of the Fortress) are flanked by twin towers, 20 metres high, linked by a semicircular arch. The apse of the cathedral also forms one of the towers. The fortifications are the most complete in Spain.
12. Bardenas (Navarra)
The Bardenas Reales is a semi-desert natural region, or badlands, of some 42,000 hectares (100,000 acres) in southeast Navarre (Spain). The soils are made up of clay, chalk and sandstone and have been eroded by water and wind creating surprising shapes, canyons, plateaus, tabular structures and isolated hills, called cabezos. Bardenas lacks urban areas, vegetation is scarce and the many streams that cross the territory have a markedly seasonal flow, staying dry most of the year. This Natural Park of wild beauty was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
13. Ronda (Málaga)
Despite being Andalucía's fastest-growing town - it overtook Córdoba in the big three Andaluz tourist attractions, behind Sevilla and Granada, in the early 21st century - Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its centre. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below, for its unparalleled views out over the Serranía de Ronda mountains.
14. Gulpiyuri Beach (Asturias)
This is probably the most surprising part of the Asturian coast, declared a natural monument. Shaped as a half circle separated from the sea by the shelvings, it is a place where one can bathe without seeing the sea. Although sometimes referred to as the 'world's smallest beach,' Playa de Gulpiyuri is definitely one of the world's strangest.
15. Albarracín (Aragon)
This sleepy little tourist village lies 3,878 feet above sea level, and is unspoilt by modernization. Driving towards the village perched high on the mountaintop evokes a sense of wonder. The Spanish newspaper, ABC.es, had a poll and Albarracín is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
10 Beautiful Forests to Visit this season
Here are 10 stunning forests to visit this season or this coming Spring. Although winter is around the corner there are still some beautiful colours to discover. Escape the city and breathe some fresh air and admire the picture-perfect landscapes...
1. Forests of Ordesa (Huesca)
The charm of the Pyrenees' most spectacular valley lies in this explosion of colour that skirts these mountains covered in oak, ash, maple, hazel and rowan trees straddling the River Arazas.
2. Fuentes de Narces (Asturias)
The slopes that lead down to the River Narcea are home to one of the biggest and healthiest deciduous forests in Spain, providing rich, nutritious food for the brown bears that live in the vicinity.
3. Fraga del Eume (A Coruña)
This Atlantic forest, situated further west than any other in Europe, is hanging on by a thread as cement and tarmac encroach on its territory. It's still a beautiful spot though, and the location for the famed novel 'The Enchanted Forest' by Wenceslao Fernandez Flórez.
4. Montes de Redes (Asturias)
The upper basin of the Nálon River, in the Asturian municipality of Caso, is covered with the wild forests of Redes, where brown bear and wolves roam amid the beech, oak and chestnut trees that are also home to chamois and grouse.
5. Dehesa del Moncayo (Zaragoza)
Moncayo Mountain rises like an Atlantic island in the middle of the Mediterranean, offering shade and a splash of rich colour. Thick with beech trees and surrounded by holm oaks, olive trees and vineyards, this is a mystical corner of the peninsula where many seek spiritual solace amid the foliage.
6. The Saja Forest (Cantabria)
The Palombera pass is the crowning glory of the forests of the Saja River in the fall. The ancient woodlands hide a maze of paths traditionally used by mountain dwellers, who left their valleys to occupy the lands of Castile, retaken in the year 1,000 AD. The photo shows the waterfalls at the Pozo de la Arbencia inside Saja-Besaya Natural Park.
7 Tejera Negra (Guadalajara)
Fall paints the landscape of the Ayllón massif between Segovia and Guadalajara, where beech trees mingle with yew trees. Against the odds, this forest has survived the hot dry Guadalajara climate as though a woodland spell is at work.
8. Selva de Oza (Huesca)
The high valley of Hecho in Aragón is crowned with an old untouched forest of beech and firs and black pines marching along the ridges. Below is the mountain gorge at the Boca del Infierno that twists upwards to the source of the River Aragón Subordán – the point where the mountains enclose this Pyrenean treasure whose very remoteness has saved it from the axe.
9. Valle de Iregua (La Rioja)
The Cameros hills conceal within their folds a beautiful beech wood, close to the source of the River Iregua. Surrounded by a semi-alpine pasture that has served nomadic cattle farmers for centuries, these beech trees account for the last native deciduous forest in the region.
10. Monte de Santiago (Burgos)
The source of the Nervión River is tucked away among the leafy beech forests of Santiago that begin at the cliffs of the Salvado mountains and advance down towards the meadows of the Arrastaria valley in Alava. The forests are constantly doused in moisture by the dense mists that also feed the river and ensure that the Salto de Nervión waterfall – considered the highest in Spain – remains a spectacular sight.
10 places to visit in Galicia
Galicia is water, land, wind… Galicia is feeling, passion, joy… Galicia is art, history, legend… It's everything that makes you dream and marvel… Galicia is a land you'll begin to discover little by little, step by step… Here are 10 places you mustn't miss, in no particular order:
1. Ribeira Sacra
The Ribeira Sacra, home to the largest concentration of Romanesque churches and monasteries in Europe. The Ribeira Sacra is a district marked by the River Miño and River Sil, which have shaped its spectacular landscape as they wind their way through the mountains. When this is combined with the faith and spirituality that can still be felt in the numerous monasteries dotted throughout the area, it means that this corner of Galicia cannot fail to appeal to all of your senses.
To mention the Ribeira Sacra is of course to mention wine, something that becomes obvious as soon as you set foot in the district: one of the most characteristic features of its landscape is the famous "socalcos", the steeply terraced vineyards that run down the hillsides. And whilst you're there, don't miss the opportunity to taste some of the fantastic local wines, the product of one of the five Denomination of Origin wine-growing areas in Galicia, to which the district gives its name.
2. City walls of Lugo
The walls of Lugo are the best-preserved example of Roman military fortifications anywhere in the world. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the walls are an outstanding example of a way of building that exemplifies a variety of significant periods in the history of mankind.
From their Roman origins, through the tumultuous period of the Middle Ages and down to the ground-breaking and revolutionary 19th century, they constitute a unique monument that displays the different facets of the way in which the city of Lugo, in itself a conservation area of major importance, has evolved from the original Roman settlement of Lucus Augusti.
3. Serra da Capelada
Serra da Capelada boasts some of the tallest cliffs in Europe.
Their highest point is Vixía Herbeira, 620 metres above sea level. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the full grandeur and size of these cliffs, second only in height to the sides of the Norwegian fjords, which plunge almost vertically down to the sea, at an angle of over 80º
The views from here are absolutely spectacular: a wonderful panorama of the mighty Atlantic Ocean and the rugged coastline on either side of Santo André are without a doubt some of the best to be found anywhere along the whole of the coast of Europe.
4. The Ferrol of the Age of Enlightenment
Although Ferrol was originally a town with a strong fishing tradition, during the 16th century its port started to become home to the ships of the Spanish Royal Navy. Subsequently, the monarchs Philip V, Ferdinand VI and Charles III were to be the driving force behind the construction of this magnificent complex, making the city the principal military base in Northwest Spain and the largest naval base of its day in Europe. On the inside, which can only be visited with prior permission, you will find the Sala de Armas (Armoury), until recently a training barracks and now residential quarters for Spanish Navy Marines deployed in Ferrol. You can also visit the Museo Naval (Shipbuilding Museum) and the Dique da Campá, one of the largest dry docks in the world. And you mustn't forget Exponav, a permanent exhibition devoted to the world of shipbuilding.
5. The Tower of Hercules
In A Coruña, we can marvel at the Tower of Hercules, which dates back to Roman times and is the oldest working lighthouse in the world, the reason why it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Farum Brigantium was built by the Roman Empire at some time between the end of the 1st century AD and the beginning of the following one. Located at the entrance to the harbour of A Coruña, this magnificent lighthouse was designed as an aid to navigation along the rugged Galician coast, a strategic point on the sea route linking the Mediterranean to northeast Europe.
6. The Way of St James
You can't leave Galicia without having walked at least part of the Way of St James.
The pilgrims' route to Santiago played a fundamental role in the exchange of cultures between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe in the Middle Ages. For this reason, the Way of St James was nominated as the First European Cultural Itinerary by the Council of Europe. The so-called French Route, which has the longest tradition and is the best-known outside Spain, has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Starting in Roncesvalles (Navarre), it finally reaches Santiago de Compostela some 750 kilometres later. A route, therefore, which links Europe with northern Spain, passing secluded churches, bridges, cathedrals, monasteries and other such places of interest, accompanied by a permanent backcloth of greenery.
Santiago de Compostela has been the Christian pilgrims' destination since the 9th century. From as far afield as the Baltic or the North Sea, thousands of pilgrims came on foot to the shrine of St James in Galicia, carrying their symbolic scallop shells along all the roads leading to Santiago, veritable paths of faith. To this we must add the fact that during the Romanesque and Baroque periods the shrine at Santiago de Compostela had a decisive influence on the evolution of architecture not just in Galicia, but throughout the whole of the north of the Iberian Peninsula
8. Cape Finisterre
Cape Finisterre, the destination of those pilgrims who, after visiting the St James' tomb, continued their way along the route marked out for them overhead by the Milky Way until they could go no further.
Finisterre was considered during the period of Classical Antiquity to be the end of the known world. In fact, its geographical location and impressive sunsets led Decimus Junius Brutus (the Roman general who conquered Galicia) to believe that this was indeed the place where the sun died at dusk. The area surrounding this headland has been considered a magical place since the earliest times, and legend has it that the Phoenicians set up an altar, the Ara Solis, at which they worshipped the sun. So why not take time to discover this corner of our coast, where the magic of the place will guide your footsteps.
9. The Cíes Islands
The Cíes Islands, one of the archipelagos that together with the islands of Ons, Sálvora and Cortegada make up the Galician Atlantic Islands Maritime-Terrestrial National Park.
Their wealth of plant and animal life, combined with spectacular landscapes, make these islands a major and valuable cultural and environmental asset.
Cíes Islands is nature in its purest state. The boat trip from either Vigo, Cangas or Baiona Baiona, all of which have scheduled catamaran sailings to the archipelago in high season, enables us to admire their imposing presence at the mouth of the Ría de Vigo.
10. Santa Tegra
A Guarda is home to the Celtic hill fort and village of Santa Tegra, from where you'll be able to enjoy "the best panoramic view of a Celtic hill fort in two countries". Naturally enough, the views from here are unrivalled: your horizon is bounded only by Galicia, with the fishing town of A Guarda at its head, the mighty Atlantic Ocean and the neighbouring Portuguese coastline.
The view is even more impressive if we travel backwards in time: the inhabitants of this hill fort and village could enjoy it from their very dwellings. However, the site of this settlement wasn't chosen for its views, but for more mundane reasons such as strategy and security, because from here they could monitor and control the sea traffic and the whole of the mouth of the River Miño.
Spain's Best National Heritage Hotels - Paradores
Before I go into the best national heritage Hotels of Spain, I thought it might be interesting to know a little background on this wonderful initiative. It was in 1910 that the government entrusted Marqués de la Vega Inclán the project of creating a hotel network, practically non-existent in the country at the time, which would provide accommodation for tourists and improve Spain's international image.
In 1926, continuing this Project and from the office of the Royal Tourism Commission created in 1911, De la Vega Inclán impelled the construction of a hotel in the Gredos Mountains, which would open up the wonders of this landscape to tourism.
The idea excited King Alfonso XIII, who chose the location personally. Work began in August of this same year and was completed on the 9th of October 1928 with its inauguration by the King himself. This was to become the first establishment of the subsequent network of Paradores de España, the Parador de Gredos.
With this first establishment inaugurated, the 'Board of Paradores and Inns of Spain' was drawn up and efforts were focussed on perfecting the original idea and making use of chosen historical and artistic monuments and areas of great natural beauty to establish new Paradores.
In the favourable climate of the twenties, the results of the first administration and the imminent Latin American Exposition reinforced the project and inspired the construction of new Paradores, now in monumental buildings, such as those inaugurated in Oropesa (1930), Úbeda (1930), Ciudad Rodrigo (1931) and Mérida (1933), among others. At the same time, the first lodging houses that were being integrated into the network would also open to the public, such as Manzanares (1932), Bailén (1933) and Benicarló (1935).
With the passing of the years, Paradores continued to spread out over the entire country. This was also a period marked by the development of infrastructures such as roads, railways, airports, ports…
The Civil War, naturally, meant not just stagnation but a slump for tourism. Some of the infrastructures comprising the network were damaged or used as hospitals, but once the conflict was over, the idea was consolidated and a new impulse was produced with the restoration and reopening of the existing Paradores.
During the period following the war, Paradores were created with diverse ends, as in the case of the Parador de Andujar, as well as others whose objective was to promote the country's tourist attractions. The conversion of the San Francisco de Granada Convent, located in the heart of the site of the Alhambra, one of today's most attractive Paradores, took place during these years (1945). The same occurred in other tourism settings, such as Santillana del Mar (1946), Malaga, with the Parador de Gibralfaro (1948), and Pontevedra (1955).
Nevertheless, the greatest expansion was produced during the decade of the sixties, coinciding with the significant tourism development that the country experienced. During these years the network of Paradores went from 40 to 83 establishments. Among others, the following were opened: Córdoba (1960), Cañadas del Teide (1960), Jaén (1965), Guadalupe (1965), Nerja (1965), Aiguablava (1966), Ávila (1966), Olite (1966), El Saler (1966), Vielha (1966), Gijón (1967), Zafra (1968), Hondarribia (1968) and Toledo (1968).
The period of the Spanish transition brought about the change in the ownership of the General Management of Paradores, and more importantly, its administrative department. A broad restructuring was implemented, closing some obsolete installations or those very far of the traditional routes and as such producing heavy losses, and the operating criteria were revised in order to improve profitability. Over these years Paradores provided the setting for acts as important as the elaboration of the draft of the Constitution in the Parador de Gredos (1978), the signing of the draft of the Statute of Catalonia in the Parador de Vic (1978), and the Statute of Autonomy for Andalusia in Carmona (1980). And the inaugurations did not cease. Among them were some as outstanding as Sigüenza (1976), Carmona (1976), Cardona (1976), Tortosa (1976), Almagro (1977), Seu d'Urgell (1977) and Segovia (1979).
During the eighties, a number of hotels from the public chain Entursa became part of the Paradores network. Among them, establishments as emblematic as the Hostal de Reyes Católicos (Santiago), the Hostal de San Marcos (León) and the Hotel La Muralla (Ceuta). Both Santiago and León have maintained their five stars deluxe category throughout the years. At the same time Salamanca (1981), El Hierro (1981), Chinchón (1982), Trujillo (1984) and Cáceres (1989) were opened.
With the arrival of the nineties, Paradores experienced a fundamental change. On the 18th of January 1991 the corporation, 'Paradores de Turismo de España, S.A.' was established. The objective was to make the hotel chain a profitable company which depended exclusively on its own profits for the maintenance and operation of the network. At this time its activity consisted of the management of 85 establishments and two lodging houses located on the Spanish mainland, the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla.
Paradores has combined tradition with innovation and developed new strategic policies: a clear commitment to environmentally-friendly policies, a strong investment in the renovation of the network, the development of R&D initiatives, the implementation of new technologies and the promotion of quality as the main premise of the hotel service offered by the chain.
The thirty hotel beds with which Paradores started, with the inauguration of the first establishment in the Gredos Mountains in 1928, have now reached over 10,000 and the number of establishments has reached a total of 97. Many of these are located in historical buildings such as convents, monasteries, castles and palaces. The rest, often located in monumental settings or in the very heart of nature, exhibit a regional or modern architecture.
Currently, more than 3.500 professionals work for Paradores and the establishments have an average of 63 rooms, a size which allows for more personalised attention with a higher degree of quality in the services offered to guests.
With establishments in all of the autonomous communities (with the exception of the Balearic Islands) Paradores de Turismo is the leading hotel chain in cultural and nature tourism. As such, in addition to having establishments in nine cities declared World Heritage Sites, more than half of the Paradores in the network are found in monumental settings and many others allow people to lodge in national parks and the most interesting natural areas of the country.
A corporation with just one shareholder, the Spanish state, Paradores de Turismo is also an instrument of the government's tourism policy, as well as a leading company in the Spanish tourism sector.
TOP 10 Paradores selected by travellers from around the world :
1. PARADOR DOS REIS CATÓLICOS – Santiago de Compostela *****
Combining history, art and tradition, the goal of pilgrims and the emblem of St. James, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, in the Plaza do Obradoiro, forms together with the cathedral one of the world's most remarkable, and most visited, urban settings. The Hostal, which first saw life as a Royal Hospital in 1499 to house the many pilgrims arriving in Santiago, today still invites the traveller to enjoy this universal and fascinating city.
Considered the oldest hotel in the world, it is also one of the most luxurious and beautiful. It has four extremely beautiful cloisters, elegant public rooms, spectacular bedrooms and a luxurious dining room offering Galician style fish and meats and the classic apple pies and crème Brulee.
2. PARADOR SANTO ESTEVO – Ribeira Sacra ****
This Benedictine monastery in the middle of the Ribeira Sacra, an area of outstanding natural beauty where the rivers Miño and Sil meet, is one of Galicia's monastic centres and now a holiday highlight. The existence of the Monastery has been proven in the 10th century, although its origins appear to be in the 6th and 7th centuries. In the monastery, styles range from Romanesque to Baroque, with three remarkable cloisters (Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance). The building was declared a Historic and Artistic Monument in 1923.
The Hotel has a total of 77 rooms distributed around three cloisters of different styles and periods. The rooms are particularly interesting as they are all different, some with impressive views over the landscape and the valleys of the river Sil. The Hotel has a restaurant with terrace by the chestnut forest, a café with terrace in the entrance cloister, lounges and beautiful gardens.
3. PARADOR DE ALCALÁ DE HENARES – Madrid ****
This newly opened hotel is located in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, only 26 km from the capital city and 20 km away from Barajas International Airport and IFEMA. It has 128 guestrooms. Parador de Alcalá de Henares is housed in a magnificent seventeenth-century building, the former Santo Tomás Dominican Convent and School. It is one of the city's landmarks along with Hostería del Estudiante, in the former Minor School of San Jerónimo, founded by Cardinal Cisneros in 1510 and overlooking the beautiful Patio Trilingüe at the University of Alcalá de Henares. These monuments form a complex that was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Around the cloisters, at the Santo Tomás School-Convent, there are the restaurant, the bar, the breakfast room, the guests' lounge, and the night bar. There is also a restaurant in Hostería del Estudiante, which serves a wide range of courses, including Cervantine food and the well-known traditional "costradas". The Parador has a swimming pool, which is open only in the summer. All in all, it is a wise combination of tradition and avant-garde, creating a space where you can relax or hold successful business meetings in a comfortable place living up to the high-quality standards of Paradores.
4. PARADOR DE OROPESA – Costa Azahar ****
The stately home of the Álvarez de Toledo, Counts of Oropesa, once the home of soldiers, clergy and noblemen, enjoys exceptional views of the Sierra de Gredos. The historic value of the Torre del Homenaje, a tower attached to the Parador, the columns of the courtyard, and the pool with outstanding views over the plains of Campo Arañuelo, make up a very attractive hotel.
The interior is dominated by lamps, chests and curtains, with large, bright rooms, lounges and workspaces. Game and seasonal produce are features of Oropesa, where the cookery of Toledo offers lamb, roast kid and other specialities such as Migas del Arañuelo, a bread-based dish, and confit of partridge.
5. PARADOR AIGUABLAVA - Costa Brava ****
The Parador de Aiguablava is situated in the unique Punta D'es Muts enclave, surrounded by pine trees and overlooking the sea. Here guests can enjoy beautiful beaches, coves and unspoilt landscapes. It is an ideal location for sports and outdoor activities, as well as relaxing walks through picturesque green settings.
Under the distinctive light of the Mediterranean, the hotel provides its guests with a high level of comfort and a range of services both for individual guests and business conferences. There is a gym, swimming pool and sauna, as well as rooms with spectacular views overlooking the sea.
Costal influence is also reflected in the 'ampurdanesa' cuisine, whose typical dishes include sea urchins, baked snails and chicken and lobster stew. During the summer, dishes can be sampled on the beach alongside the restaurant.
The Parador has its own restaurant, 'Mar i Vent' which is separate from the hotel located in the neighbouring cove overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
6.PARADOR DE CANGAS DE ONÍS – Picos de Europa ****
Tradition has it that it was built by Rey Alfonso I, 'The Catholic', on February 21st 746, with excavations carried out before conversion work started on the building for the Parador supporting the idea. The present monastery was founded on the site and run by the Order of San Benito until the 1835 sale of Church lands. Two rooms displaying archaeological remains found during refurbishment work, especially ceramics, bear witness to its distant past.
The Monastery was declared a National Monument in 1907 with a new wing added using matching building materials to match the original. Set on the green banks of the River Sella, this jewel is reflected in the waters below.
The magnificent Picos de Europa setting frames the backdrop. The modern and comfortable facilities at the Hotel make it the ideal spot to discover the wondrous Asturian landscape, enjoy local colour at celebrations and the ancestral folklore, as well as savour the best most genuine dishes from the rich local cuisine.
7. PARADOR DE CARDONA – Catalunya ****
The Hotel is located on a headland in a 9th century fortified enclosure, alongside the 11th century Minyona tower and an 11th-century church with characteristic features from the surrounding Catalan Romanesque. Its location provides exceptional panoramic views over the city and the fertile lands bathed by the River Cardoner.
Some of the hotel rooms have charming canopy beds. Pits, towers, walls and gothic features come together with predominantly comfortable décor and Catalan-inspired mediaeval furnishings.
Catalan cuisine is served in the dining room including aubergine terrine with pig's trotters, selections of sausages and especially barbecue dishes with the braised lamb shoulder a highlight.
8. PARADOR DE PLASENCIA – Caceres ****
The hotel is in the former convent of Sto. Domingo, founded by the Zúñiga family in the mid 15th century, in the Gothic style inside and in part of the exterior.
Strategically located in the historic centre of Plasencia, this is the ideal place to explore the architectural beauty of this singular city and the beautiful landscape around it.
9. PARADOR DE CACERES – Caceres ****
The Parador de Cáceres represents the harmonious union of the palaces of the marquises of Torreorgaz and the so-called Ovando Mogollón, Perero y Paredes House, both dating from the 14th century.
The interior of the building boasts all the elegance, quality and comfort of a historic structure adapted to suit the needs of today's guests, especially the restaurant and outdoor areas, café and guest lounge. This last room is a particularly pleasant spot to meet and chat.
In short, the renovated Parador de Cáceres will set the standard for tourism and gastronomy in the region as both a tourist location and a venue for celebrations and events.
10. PARADOR DE NERJA – Málaga ****
The Hotel is on a cliff overlooking the sea, in an ideal spot to enjoy the beach, which is reached by a singular lift; the coastline and the lovely natural landscape of the area. The entrance to the building boasts a splendid garden whose greenery contrasts with the blue of the pool.
The spacious, light-filled interiors are comfortably furnished with elegant decorative details. All the rooms in the hotel have large terraces looking onto the sea (except basic rooms). The upper rooms also enjoy spectacular views over the Mediterranean and the mountains of the Sierra Almijara, and the beautiful cliffs of this rustic Málaga coast.
Great escapes in times of Covid
Treehouses, transparent bubble-shaped rooms to watch the stars or a fancy caravan, staying in these very original hotels in Spain will be a truly unforgettable experience and the perfect way to get away from it all an isolate during these difficult times. From North to South, here are a few of the most interesting and original hotels that will make every night feel special and help you discover Spain like never before and stay safe in times of Covid!
1. Cabanes als arbre, Sant Hilari Sacalm, Girona
http://www.cabanesalsarbres.com/es
If you have ever dreamed about being like Robinson Crusoe, then stay in this treehouse, near the Montseny Mountain, in Catalonia. In this very privileged area, you can view the world from above.
2. Airstream, Alzozaina, Málaga
https://www.glampingairstream.com
In the quaint white-washed village of Alozaina, in Málaga, you can stay in an authentic classic American caravan that is as luxurious as a 5-star hotel. This tiny vehicle is perfect for a romantic getaway.
3. Casa de laila, Alhaurín el Grande, Málaga
http://www.casadelaila.es
Casa de Laila takes rural tourism and glamping ("glamorous camping") to a new level. If you want to spend the night in a tent without compromising on comfort, this pretty corner of Alhaurín el Grande is perfect.
4. Hotel Consolación, Monroy, Teruel
http://www.consolacion.com.es
Located in the beautiful Matarraña region, Hotel Consolación is one of the most special hotels in Spain. It merges the tradition of an old baroque hermitage with ultramodern and minimalistic cubes on top of a hill. It's so cool!
5. Mil Estrelles, Borgonyà, Girona
http://www.milestrelles.com
Very close to the famous Banyoles Lake it is possible to stay inside a transparent bubble, with the stars as your ceiling. This hotel's round rooms are named after stars and is as romantic as it is magical.
6. Hotel Plaza de Toros de Almadén, Almadén, Ciudad Real
http://almaden.es/turismo/alojamientos/116-hotel-plaza-de-toros.html
There is surely nothing more typically Spanish than a bullring that has now been converted into a hotel. Located in Almadén, it has been transformed into an amazing place where every aspect of its design has been carefully thought-out, for example you can have breakfast overlooking the arena.
7. Hotel Les Cols Pavellons, Olot, Girona
http://www.lescolspavellons.com/
Les Cols, in the middle of the pretty Garrotxa area, is more than just a hotel: it is a sensorial and very Zen experience. There are glass rooms, volcanic earth at your feet, lava gardens and you can even sleep under the stars.
8. Otro Mundo, Elche de la Sierra, Castilla-La Mancha
http://www.otro-mundo.com
In the Sierra de Segura Mountains, in Castilla-La Mancha, there are a few white Eco domes that have everything you could possibly need. Otro Mundo is a hotel where sustainability really matters, as well as comfort. It is a truly other-worldly experience.
Spain's Best Water Parks
Many of us will have surely enjoyed all or nearly all of the summer pleasures by now - COVID permitting. Summer holidays and the beach go together like a bucket and spade, sure, but there are many more ways to get wet and have fun in Spain. Although the beach is undoubtedly one of the best places for cooling off, another great idea is to take your family, grandchildren or some friends to a water park where children will have an awesome time and adults will get to feel like kids again. Here are some of the best water parks in Spain and the first two in the ranking boast worldwide recognition.
1. SIAM PARK - TENERIFE
Siam Park, the water kingdom opened its doors in 2008 as the most spectacular theme park with water attractions in Europe and many would consider it the best park in the world.
Siam Park adds a whole new dimension to the leisure offering in the Canary Islands and is located in Adeje, south of Tenerife. Siam Park will amaze everyone with its diverse attractions and exotic settings.
The park covers 185,000m2 of natural landscapes and exquisite oriental design make it a major new development in tourism, where all the family will experience adventure, excitement and plenty of adrenalin.
Every attraction offers a unique experience and combines with the mystery of the ancient kingdom of Thailand, to transport visitors into a world of excitement and magic.
Siam Park offers exclusive facilities for every occasion; events, birthdays, conventions and concerts. It also has its own surf school where both adults and children can learn to surf.
2. AQUALANDIA - BENIDORM
Aqualandia in Benidorm, the first water park built in Spain, opened in 1985. Since then it has been not only one of the largest water parks in the world, but also ranks among those which offer the most attractions and facilities as well as outstanding customer service.
Aqualandia is an extensive natural area where you can enjoy a wide variety of water activities and many other amenities. It covers an area of 150,000 square metres and has 50,000 square metres of free parking.
With their great range of record-breaking water rides, splash pools and other attractions there's something for everyone to enjoy a fun day out.
3. AQUOPOLIS - MADRID (7 parks around Spain)
Of course, there are no beaches in the Spanish capital but you don't need a beach to cool off and forget about the almost unbearable summer heat. Aquopólis is opening a new attraction this summer 2014. Waikiki Jungle, a gigantic, semi-covered water slide for an adventure in pairs on the new-style rubber rings. For a spot of relaxation before returning to the action, there's nothing like renting one of the cabins in the VIP area. This park forms part of the Parques Reunidos programme, meaning that annual pass holders can enjoy Aquópolis throughout the summer season.
4. AQUATROPIC - ALMUÑECAR
Located in Almuñecar, Aquatropic water park was opened over 20 years ago, being a reference for entertainment experience on the Costa Tropical. Year after year since opening, they have incorporated new attractions suiting to the needs of the visitors, using 35,000 m² of the park.
It offers multiple water attractions such as Tropical Trails, Lake Cascade, the Wave Pool, the Zig-zag, the Kamikaze, the Hidrotubo, the Black Hole, the Children's pool and more. As well the parkland which is surrounded by extensive vegetation to create shadows and spaces designed for Pic-Nic, to make your visit more enjoyable. The park is an environmental benchmark as it's the only saltwater water park in Spain.
5. AQUALAND - MALLORCA
It is worth tearing yourself away from the wonderful bays of Majorca for a day to visit Aqualand. Of course, relaxation won't be the reason because nobody goes there to sunbathe; they go to experience the adrenaline rush brought on by its 17 attractions for both the young and not-so-young. However, if you do want to chill out for a while, this can also be done in the water in either the jacuzzi or on the Congo River - a relaxing journey on which you wouldn't be the first to close your eyes and let yourself be carried away by the current.
6. COSTA CARIBE AQUATIC PARK - TARRAGONA
Installed in the heart of the Costa Daurada this amazing water park will plunge you into a refreshing trip that will transport you to paradise in an aquatic adventure. At the Costa Caribe Aquatic Park of Port Aventura, you can practice rafting, go down trepid slides or relax on a lounger indulging yourself with a mixture of the sound of the waves that reach the sand and the tasty reggae rhythm that runs through every corner of this amazing water park.
During its more than 50,000 square meters you can see its more than 4,300 tropical plants that are all carefully looked after to the smallest detail to make your visit an unforgettable experience in PortAventura.
7. AQUARAMA - BENICASSIM
Just 45 minutes from Valencia, Aquarama water park with over 45,000 square meters is packed full of fun for all of the family. There are some amazing slides from the daring slides such as "The Devil's Drop" which holds the record as the highest slide in all of Europe with a height of 30 meters with the slide angling in at 62 degrees . The Space shot, which is the only one in Spain, the Whirlpool and more and more rides…. For those who like to relax a bit more, there are pools, jacuzzis and wave pools. There is also The Pirates Cave and the Mini Dunes areas which are for the exclusive use of the younger ones of the family.
8. WATER WORLD / AQUADIVER - LLORET DE MAR - PLATJA D'ARO
Here you are entering a world of experiences of two of the finest water parks imaginable, Aquadiver in Platja d'Aro and Water World in Lloret de Mar. In the two water parks on the Costa Brava, you can enjoy various rides, such as wave pools, rapid rivers, kamikaze…. A set of attractions for children and adults public. Aquadiver water parks in Platja d'Aro and Waterworld in Lloret de Mar is a perfect place to spend unforgettable days with family and friends. You'll find the best services in the same water park, for your comfort and experience, such as restaurants, pancake houses, picnic areas and pine forests, where they can relax and enjoy a wonderful environment.
9. AQUA-CENTER - MENORCA
Aqua Center Los Delfines is in Ciutadella, Menorca. Although it only has 12.500 m², it is the only park on the island but offers a great day out for the whole family with the most modern water attractions: Black Hole (2-seater float), Adventure River (Single seater float with 91,5m run), Giant Slides, Water Tunnels, Children's Water Shuttles, Kamikaze, Jacuzzi and so on.
10. PARQUE ACUATICO MIJAS - FUENGIROLA, MIJAS
Park Aquatico Mijas is located in Fuengirola, Mijas, Costa del Sol. The park offers great attractions such as water rides for all ages, shows, beach areas, wave pool, and Spa treatments.
Med Diet - Top 10 foods that are good for high blood pressure
High blood pressure is a serious health condition that can contribute to heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, kidney disease, and other problems. High blood pressure (or hypertension) is a common medical problem, especially among diabetics.
While there are many ways to rein in high blood pressure, one of the simplest and best methods is to eat a good diet. Here are ten foods found to be especially effective in lowering blood pressure in clinical research.
1. Bananas
Foods high in potassium, such as bananas, help to lower blood pressure. This is because an excessive salt intake is one of the leading factors in hypertension, and potassium helps to naturally regulate salt levels in the body. Plus, bananas are an easy-to-eat natural snack.
2. Beans
Beans of all sorts can reduce blood pressure. Besides their potassium content, beans have lots of heart-healthy fiber. A healthy heart can better maintain good blood pressure. Beans are also high in protein, which has been connected to low blood pressure in research.
This dark, leafy green is great for your health in general, and will specifically help blood pressure because of the potassium, magnesium, and folate found in the vegetable. Like potassium, folate and magnesium are valuable for keeping blood pressure down.
4. Blueberries
An easy natural snack, blueberries provide your body with flavonoids, a group of natural compounds shown to help prevent hypertension by lowering blood pressure levels.
5. Chocolate
You wouldn't think that a food as tasty as chocolate could have any positive health benefits, but chocolate does lower blood pressure. Research has discovered that the cacao found in chocolate contains compounds that limit blood pressure levels by dilating blood vessels. Opt for dark chocolate, which has more cacao.
The juice of this root holds nitrates that have been found to quickly lower blood pressure among hypertension patients. Once ingested, nitrates become nitric oxide, a gas that helps blood vessels stay dilated by relaxing their smooth muscle.
The minerals potassium and magnesium are found in abundance in potatoes, so eating this food will put a damper on your high blood pressure. Potatoes also contain nitrates. Avoid loading your potatoes with large amounts of salty butter or sour cream, or frying them in unhealthy seed oils.
8. Milk
Products with lots of calcium are good for high blood pressure, making milk a great option for those with hypertension. Try drinking skim milk, though, since milk rich in fat will exacerbate blood pressure problems.
9. Olive Oil
Daily consumption of at least two tablespoons of phenol-rich extra virgin olive oil can be effective in lowering blood pressure. In one study, 35 per cent of the participants were able to discontinue their hypertensive medications after consuming EVOO for six months.
10. Oatmeal
A high-fibre diet protects from hypertension, making oatmeal a good choice. Since fibre is digested slowly, blood sugar levels are kept in check, which in turn reduces blood pressure. Plus, oatmeal has very little fat and sodium.
Hypertension is sometimes termed a 'silent killer' because the malady has no obvious symptoms. Considering how common the condition is, check with your doctor and consider making changes to incorporate more of these heart-healthy foods in your diet.
[source OOT]
Selection of 10 'Top' Beaches Around Spain
Spain's coastline is peppered with spectacular beaches so I have refrained from my usual title of Top 10... to introduce 10 'top' beaches from the country. All are well worth a visit!
1. Es Talaier (Ciudadela, Menorca)
After a 15-minute walk from Son Saura, everything conspires to push the traveller into this voluptuous pool of translucent waters that shine under the bright sun. Its pine groves are seductive like snake's eyes, and the beach is free of tourist boats.
2. Cala Fonda, Waikiki (Tarragona)
The proximity of a petrochemical compound only underscores the value of this Mediterranean relic. It is necessary to park at the restaurant Mirall d'Estiu, on Larga beach, and walk for two kilometers. The pine groves then give way to an uncomfortable final stretch before the actual beach is reached. Some walk about in the nude, others go for a swim. Everyone talks wonders about this place.
3. Escorxada and Fustam (Es Migjorn Gran, Menorca)
Water taxis were created for those who dislike walking. Taximar (www.menorcataximar.com), based in Cala Galdana, organizes trips to the remote coves of Escorxada and Fustam, with stops at Trebalúger and a couple of sea caves. The parasol-and-cooler-carrying traveler can then choose a beach to enjoy for the next five hours, until pick-up time. The cost of the service is €25.
4. La Granadella (Xàbia, Alicante)
There is nothing quite like enjoying the majestic Mediterranean early in the morning outside high season, and to practice your swimming strokes as you listen to the rhythmic sound of the pebbles being swept by the waves. Sur restaurant (www.restaurantesur.com) has its own boat and vegetable garden.
5. Melide (Cangas de Morrazo, Pontevedra)
To say Melide is to evoke the Cíes islands: there are only three kilometers separating Melide from the national park, and no need to stand in line at the ship docks. Both share a creamy-colored sand, freezing waters and loads of pine trees. Its remote location ensures that the masses stay away. A foot trail begins in Donón and ends in Punta Subrido, home to Pedro Piñeiro's beach bar.
6. Playazo de Rodalquilar (Níjar, Almería)
Located inside Cabo de Gata, this is a crowded beach (access is easy) but its sand is a joy to behold, and it is set against a cliff of such a pale yellow as to appear white. It was the filming location for the 2015 movie 'Lejos del mar' (or, Far from the sea), by Imanol Uribe. The Los Patios hotel is nearby (www.lospatios.net). It is a good idea to walk the 1.4 kilometer trail from San Ramón castle to Cuervo cove.
7. Güí-Güí (La Aldea de San Nicolás, Gran Canaria)
This is the beach at the end of the (Canary Islands) world. The two-and-a-half hour mountain trek from Tasartico is worth it (remember to bring at least two liters of water per trekker). Anyone who makes it to these two strips of sand with views on Mount Teide should be eligible for a certificate of achievement.
8. Aigua Xelida (Palafrugell, Girona)
The pungent smell of the pine grove, its narrow shape, the fact that the nearby residential estate is nearly unnoticeable... Everything conspires to make us disconnect from the outside world. A plaque on the fisherman's shack reminds visitors about the times when the writer Josep Pla spent time here, drawing inspiration from the coastline and the wind to write about a legendary, extinct Costa Brava that we may nevertheless explore in kayaks (www.kayakingcostabrava.com) from the homebase of Tamariu.
9.Xarraca (Sant Joan, Ibiza)
This cove in northern Ibiza is located next to the road, and its waters are of an arresting turquoise color. This is a pebble beach, meaning that it is good for snorkeling and paddle boats. Rising up from the water near the shore is Penya Grossa, a rock that doubles as a diving board, and the nearby Penya Petita, a small reef where swimmers stop for a break.
10. Barayo (Valdés / Navia, Asturias)
Anyone approaching Barayo from Navia will be treated to one of the parking lots with the most sublime views on the Cantabrian coast: salt flats, marshes, dunes, tall grass and cane fields, pine trees and eucalyptus on a cliff.
Spain's Top 10: Freshwater Oases
When it comes to Spain everyone seems to picture a sandy beach on some coastal resort but in fact, I have to say that I have had some of my greatest moments in Spain, inland at many of the country's idyllic freshwater spots. Lagunas de Ruidera was a wonderful discovery many years back. What is so fantastic about these places is the crystalline freshwater, many of them are actually born from natural springs. The water is incredibly refreshing as opposed to the hot bath water which can be found on the Mediterranean coast during the summer.
So if you fancy a change, this is a wonderful alternative and you probably won't have to fight to find a spot to lay down your towel! The word oasis comes to mind when I see them as in many occasions all that can be seen around them is arid land and dry pine forests. Some of these places also allow water sports and freshwater fishing so also a great opportunity to keep yourself busy.
These are 10 of the top places around the country, naturally, there are so many, so feel free to post a comment if you know of any more wonderful freshwater oases...
1. Lagunas de Ruidera (Ciudad Real)
2. Lago de Sanabria (Zamora)
3. Los Pilones (Cáceres)
4. Embalse de Orellana (Badajoz)
5. Las Fuentes del Algar (Alicante)
6. Pantano de San Juan (Madrid)
7. Lago de Bolarque (Almonacid de Zorita, Guadalajara)
8. Playa de Zahara de la Sierra (Cádiz)
9. El Parrizal de Beceite - Teruel
10. Las Presillas (Rascafría- Madrid)
James_10
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Photo by Maya Disher
Senior Hunter Reardon runs the ball down near the end zone in the second down during the first half of the annual homecoming powderpuff game.
Maya Disher, Photography and Copy Editor
Coming off an intense win last year, the senior class of 2023 won for the second time, except this year they truly are the "top dogs," as they beat out the junior class of 2024.
Powderpuff is a homecoming tradition where junior and senior girls get to go head-to-head in a game of flag football. Teams are coached by the juniors and seniors of the varsity football team, and they get to share the action of what they experience every Friday night during football season.
"There's nothing like it," senior Coach Roan Hickey said. "It's just quite an experience in itself that you really can't replicate."
Last year's win was an ecstatic moment for the class of 2023 since they were, as most junior classes are, the underdog of the Powderpuff game. Not only did they assume the position of Powderpuff 2021 champions, but now had a great deal of pressure to regain their champion status for the 2022 Powderpuff game.
According to senior Luka Johnson, they felt like they had to win this year since they won their junior year against the seniors.
With high stakes, the seniors did not disappoint as they got an interception within the second play of the game, and a touchdown during the third. Starting off the night strong, they managed to end even stronger with Johnson's 80-yard touchdown within the last two minutes of the game. With a final score of 20-8, the class of 2023 remains undefeated.
The class of 2024, however, may have let the nerves get to them. Junior Coach Grayson Zurn believes that they did not fully trust themselves during the first half of the game, but after a nice pep talk during halftime, the juniors were back onto their A-Game scoring a touch down plus the extra point.
Powderpuff has always been a homecoming favorite amongst the girls, but the football team also get a once in a life time experience learning what it takes to coach a bunch of high school kids.
Zurn said that respect was a huge factor into the teams success and mishaps during the game. As a coach and an athlete Zurn knows that respect towards your teammates, captains, and especially your coaches is very important to create a successful team. If anything, being a coach reaffirmed his belief as now he see's if there is a mutual respect between coaches and players, the team as a whole will work better together.
The seniors on the other hand looked at their success as coaches and players was due to the team chemistry among the girls.
Johnson said that when they all came together and helped each other, the game became more fun to play which allowed them to have more motivation to win. Hickey explained that when they created a strong team chemistry, it allowed them to work together better when it came to "pulling off plays," and "just really locking down the other teams offense."
Walking away from Powderpuff this year, each team learned a few things.
One, even though the defeat from the seniors was a hard to accept, but juniors will be returning next year bigger and better, ready to claim victory against the class of 2025.
Two, Johnson is a beast on the field and football coach Beau Labore should consider her for the varsity football team.
Three, win or lose, Powderpuff is a high school experience the girls and the coaches believe is a must. Coaches are able to share their love of football to girls who get to experience the action of Friday night football, or in this case, Wednesday Night Lights.
Every year during homecoming week, our football stars take off their pads and cleats and trade them in for a coach's hat as they lead the junior and senior girls through the traditional, nail-biting, Powderpuff game.
Powder puff game adds fun to homecoming
Powderpuff brings out competitive spirits
Football team works hard to prepare for homecoming
Grayson Zurn
Luka Johnson
Ponies Football
Roan Hickey
Maya Disher, Photographer and Public Relations
I am Maya Disher, a Senior at Stillwater Area High School. I am the photography editor-in-chief and a copy editor. I am also the photographer for the varsity...


text:
Be careful: Cell phones may not keep your secrets
Ted Bridis The Associated Press
WASHINGTON | Don't tell your cell phone any secrets. It might not keep them.
Secondhand phones purchased over the Internet surrendered credit card numbers, banking passwords, business secrets and even evidence of adultery.
One married man's girlfriend sent a text message to his cell phone: His wife was getting suspicious. Perhaps they should cool it for a few days.
"So," she wrote, "I'll talk to u next week."
"You want a break from me? Then fine," he wrote back.
Later, the married man bought a new phone. He sold his old one on eBay for $290.
The guys who bought it now know his secret.
The married man had followed the directions in his phone's manual to erase all his information, including lurid exchanges with his lover. But it wasn't enough.
Selling your old phone once you upgrade to a fancier model can be like handing over your diaries. All sorts of sensitive information pile up inside our cell phones, and deleting it may be more difficult than you think.
A popular practice among sellers, resetting the phone, often means sensitive information appears to have been erased. But it can be resurrected using specialized yet inexpensive software found on the Internet.
A company, Trust Digital of McLean, Va., bought 10 phones on eBay this summer to test phone-security tools it sells for businesses. The phones all were fairly sophisticated models capable of working with corporate e-mail systems.
Curious software experts at Trust Digital resurrected information on nearly all the used phones, including the racy exchanges between guarded lovers.
The other phones contained:
One company's plans to win a multimillion-dollar federal transportation contract.
E-mails about another firm's $50,000 payment for a software license.
Bank accounts and passwords.
Details of prescriptions and receipts for one worker's utility payments.
The recovered information was equal to 27,000 pages -- a stack of printouts 8 feet high.
"We found just a mountain of personal and corporate data," said Nick Magliato, Trust Digital's chief executive.
Many of the phones were owned personally by the sellers but crammed with sensitive corporate information, underscoring the blurring of work and home. "They don't come with a warning label that says, 'Be careful.' The data on these phones is very important," Magliato said.
One phone surrendered the secrets of a chief executive at a small technology company in Silicon Valley. It included details of a pending deal with Adobe Systems Inc. and e-mail proposals from a potential Japanese partner:
"If we want to be exclusive distributor in Japan, what kind of business terms you want?" asked the executive in Japan.
Trust Digital surmised that the U.S. chief executive gave his old phone to a former roommate, who used it briefly then sold it for $400 on eBay. Researchers found e-mails covering different periods for both men, who used the same address until recently.
Experts said giving away an old phone is commonplace. Consumers upgrade their cell phones on average about every 18 months.
"Most people toss their phones after they're done; a lot of them give their old phones to family members or friends," said Miro Kazakoff, a researcher at Compete Inc. of Boston who follows mobile phone sales and trends. He said selling a used phone -- which sometimes can fetch hundreds of dollars -- is increasingly popular.
The 10 phones Trust Digital studied represented popular models from leading manufacturers. All the phones stored information on flash memory chips, the same technology found in digital cameras and some music players.
Flash memory is inexpensive and durable. But it is slow to erase information in ways that make it impossible to recover. So manufacturers compensate with methods that erase data less completely but don't make a phone seem sluggish.
Phone manufacturers usually provide instructions for safely deleting a customer's information, but it's not always convenient or easy to find. Research in Motion Ltd. has built into newer Blackberry phones an easy-to-use wipe program.
Palm Inc., which makes the popular Treo phones, puts directions deep within its Web site for what it calls a "zero out reset." It involves holding down three buttons simultaneously while pressing a fourth tiny button on the back of the phone.
But it's so awkward to do that even Palm says it may take two people. A Palm executive, Joe Fabris, said the company made the process deliberately clumsy because it doesn't want customers accidentally erasing their information.
Trust Digital resurrected erased e-mails and other information from a used Treo phone provided The Associated Press after it was reset and appeared empty. The AP ordinarily purges its phones the correct way, but for demonstration purposes turned over a reporter's phone that had been simply reset to see whether Trust Digital could recover the information. It did.
Once the AP phone was properly wiped using Palm's awkward zero-out technique, no information could be recovered.
"The tools are out there" for hackers and thieves to rummage through deleted data on used phones, Trust Digital's chief technology officer, Norm Laudermilch, said. "It definitely does not take a Ph.D."
Fabris, Palm's director of wireless solutions, said after AP's inquiries that the company may warn customers in an upcoming newsletter about the risks of selling their used phones. "It might behoove us to raise this issue," Fabris said.
Dean Olmstead of Fresno, Calif., sold his Treo phone on eBay after using it six months. He didn't know about Palm's instructions to delete safely all his personal information. Now he's worried.
"I probably should have done that," Olmstead said. "Folks need to know this. I'm hoping my phone goes to a nice person."
Guy Martin of Albuquerque, N.M., wasn't as concerned someone will snoop on his secrets. He also sold his Treo phone on eBay and didn't delete his information completely.
"I'm not that kind of valuable person, so I'm not really worried," said Martin, who runs the www.imusteat.com Web site. "I guarantee that three-quarters of the people who buy these phones don't think about this."
Trust Digital found no evidence that thieves or corporate spies are routinely buying used phones to mine them for secrets, Magliato said. "I don't think the bad guys have figured this out yet."
President Bush's former cybersecurity adviser, Howard Schmidt, carried up to four phones and e-mail devices -- and said he was always careful with them. To sanitize his older Blackberry devices, Schmidt would deliberately type his password incorrectly 11 times, which caused data on them to self-destruct.
"People are just not aware how much they're exposing themselves," Schmidt said. "This is more than something you pick up and talk on. This is your identity. There are people really looking to exploit this."
Executives at Trust Digital agreed to review with the AP the information extracted from the used phones on the condition the AP would not identify the sellers or their employers. They also showed the AP receipts from the Internet auctions in which they bought the 10 phones over the summer for $192 to $400 each.
Trust Digital said it intends to return all the phones to their original owners and said it kept the recovered personal information on a single computer under lock and disconnected from its corporate network at its headquarters in northern Virginia.
Peiter "Mudge" Zatko, a computer security expert, said phone owners should decide whether to auction their used equipment for a few hundred dollars -- and risk revealing their secrets -- or effectively toss their old phones under a large truck to dispose of them.
What about a case like the Lothario whose affair Trust Digital discovered?
"I'd run over the phone," Zatko said. "Maybe give it an acid bath."
© 2023 www.tuscaloosanews.com. All rights reserved.


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Father, Son, Sword: The Lone Wolf and Cub Saga
The gripping saga of former shogunate executioner Itto Ogami and his son Daigoro, better known as Lone Wolf and Cub. Betrayed and exiled by the treacherous Yagyu clan, they wander feudal Japan as assassins on the road to hell.
An epic, multi million-selling manga that spanned six years and nearly 9000 pages. A long-running television series that is one of the staples of Japanese broadcasting. And six ferocious, inimitable films that are among the best that Japanese cinema has to offer. More than 40 years after they were made, these films continue to fascinate and enthral viewers the world over.
Lone Wolf and Cub and the Baby Cart films are among the true classics of Japanese pop culture. Read and watched all across the globe, they inspired countless filmmakers, comic book artists, and writers, including Quentin Tarantino, Frank Miller, John Carpenter, John Woo, and Takashi Miike.
Tom Mes
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Arrow Books


"Bobby is the one thing standing in the way of my happiness with Jeffrey."
A wise woman named Nivea once said, "don't mess with my man 'cause I'ma be the one to bring it to you," and let's just say Malik took that to heart.
In this sneak peek to Love & Hip Hop Miami, Malik is ready to have a calm conversation, but Bobby Lytes is on turn up time. Jeffrey tries to get his boyfriend Malik away from Bobby but it's important to Malik that he address him. "Bobby is the one thing standing in the way of my happiness with Jeffrey," he explains. From jump, Bobby says he's been waiting for Malik to speak to him. After being told the two never had anything special, Bobby gets petty saying "he showed up [to my single release party.] He went out his way to be there," with all sass attached. According to Malik, that's fake news. The two get into a screaming match about throwing hands on one another and Jeffrey is staring at them stuck.
Jeffrey has two guys fighting over him. He must have that Saf….nevermind. Don't miss an all new Love & Hip Hop Miami, next Monday at 9/8c!


Did you ever watch Full House growing up? Not the recent reboot, but the original with Danny Tanner, the father of three young girls who was trying to raise them with the help of his family and friends. A lot of the episodes had a similar theme to them. Throughout the episode one of the girls would be dealing with some sort of issue that comes with growing up, and at the end of each episode, either the dad or one of the other characters would be in the kids' bedroom sitting on the bed trying to help them navigate the ups and downs of life. After eight years of fatherhood, I can now say I've had one of those moments.
My eight-year old daughter had a school project that she was really excited about. The project was to recycle things like cardboard boxes and plastic bottles and make something useful out of them. She had decided to make a claw that could pick things up from far away.
Unfortunately, she had been working on the project for three days at school, and it wasn't coming together. She wasn't allowed to bring it home, and the teacher had told them, once they started it, they couldn't switch to something else. Oh, and they only had one more day to finish it.
I didn't know these details until the night before. As I sat on my daughters' bed to do our normal nightly prayers, my eight-year old didn't want to pray. When I asked her why, she started filling me in on all the details and tears started to stream down her face. This project she had been so excited about, now had become the source of her greatest pain.
I had never seen my daughter filled with so much anxiety and fear. Her tears quickly turned to sobs, and nothing I said was making her feel any better. I quickly discovered this wasn't about a failed project, it was about the fear of being judged.
In her mind, she was going to fail and everyone was going to make fun of her. They had already been asking her what her project was supposed to be, and this had embarrassed her. Their projects were coming together, and hers wasn't. To make matters worse, the projects were going to be displayed outside the room for everyone to see. So now, not only would her classmates be making fun of her, but the rest of the school would be as well.
I told her not to care what anyone says or thinks, but she does. I told her everyone fails sometimes, but she never had. I told her it was going to be ok, but she didn't believe me. In that moment I saw her as broken as she's ever been, and my heart broke for her.
Every bit of it was because she was worried about what others may say or think about her.
And as I thought back upon what she was going through, I couldn't help but think about broken people and their view of the church. Their fears of being judged, and their fears of what people may say or think about them. And how those fears many times keep them from experiencing the love of Jesus.
My daughter didn't need me to tell her she messed up. She didn't need me to say you should've known this wouldn't have worked. She didn't need me to say you should've told us sooner. She needed me to love her and to show her a better way.
And that's what so many churches need to do a better job of.
That night we all got out of bed, we found some sturdier cardboard, we modified the design, and I gave her the tools to make it work. Danny Tanner would've been proud. The next day she came home with a smile on her face, and a little closer to her father.
Let's hear your Full House story. Tell us about a time you shared love in the comments below. Also, don't forget to subscribe to the blog to get emails on church leadership, growth, and sappy dad stories delivered to your inbox each week.
Great analogy, Travis. Just as your heart was broken for your daughter and you wanted the best for her, God is broken for us and wants the best way for us. He equips us and gives us the tools we need if we seek Him. You are a good daddy, Travis.


The convenience store pastries we all love to binge on during our late nights out are being made into the breakfast cereals to help us recover the morning after.
Post has teamed up with Hostess for two separate cereal creations based on the pastry maker's treats. Powdered Donettes and Honey Buns are both getting the treatment, being served up in tiny cereal form. The Honey Buns have rings of cinnamon in theirs, while the Powdered Donettes cereal has the appearance and taste of the gas station snack staple.
If you're hyped for these pastry-centric breakfast cereals, you won't have to wait too long to get a box. Both will be launching in various retailers nationwide starting in January 2019, so you can kick off the year with a taste of road trip nostalgia.


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Feds reportedly investigating allegations of exploding NutriBullets; more victims come forward
LOS ANGELES, CA (FOX 11) - WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT:
The federal government has reportedly launched an investigation into NutriBullet following FOX 11's investigations into allegations that the devices explode and cause graphic injuries.
FOX 11 is told the Consumer Product Safety Commission started looking into the device after FOX 11's investigations on the NutriBullet, which were seen more than 12 million times.
Those reports can be seen here:
Danger In The Mix Part 1:
"A representative from the CPSC's Los Angeles office contacted me after the FOX story, my understanding is both that agent as well as agents throughout the United States have interviewed no less thatn 15 of our clients," said Doug Rochen of ACTS law firm. "It has been escalated to the Washington D.C. office where my understanding is they are currently doing some type of analysis and investigation concerning why these products are still being sold."
When FOX 11 reached out to the CPSC, we were told the agency cannot confirm or deny an active investigation.
Rochen represents all of the alleged victims FOX 11 has interviewed, and his firm has been retained by 90 clients who are in the process of suing NutriBullet, claiming the device exploded during regular use and left them with severe cuts or burns.
His latest clients include Kevin and Oliva Driscoll, a father and daughter who live in Thousand Oaks who claim their NutriBullet exploded last May, leaving them with severe burns.
"Soup went everywhere, and all I could hear was Olivia screaming behind me," Kevin said.
According to their lawsuit against NutriBullet, they were using the device to make a broth of room temperature chicken stock and cooked vegetables, and blended the ingredients for a "brief and reasonable amount of time."
"I let the NutriBullet go for a little while, probably about a minute," Kevin said.
Olivia tells FOX 11 she touched the canister to get ready to turn it off, and noticed it was hot to the touch.
"When she touched it, she said Dad it's too hot, I told her to leave it alone, I'll take it off," Kevin said.
"Went to the stove, put it over a pan on the stove and said step back, this thing is going to explode."
Kevin told FOX 11 that's when he began to unscrew the blade assembly from the canister, as he pointed it away from himself and his daughters.
"When he screws the lid I hear this popping sound, and I immediately knew something was gonna happen," Olivia said.
According to their lawsuit, the "now scalding hot contents of the canister violently and forcefully erupted out of the canister, spraying the hot contents on Mr. Driscoll and his daughters."
The lawsuit alleges that Kevin suffered second degree burns on both of his wrists, while Olivia suffered second degree burns to her face and eye area.
In response, NutriBullet provided FOX 11 the following statement:
"NutriBullet is dedicated to the safety and satisfaction of its customers. Every day, millions of NutriBullet customers blend nutritious smoothies from fruits, vegetables and nuts. NutriBullets present no safety issue if used as directed, including following the warning not to blend heated foods.
We are sorry Mr. Driscoll and his daughter were injured, wish them well in their recovery, and will thoroughly investigate how their incident could have occurred as claimed in their lawsuit. In this regard, NutriBullet has also been working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in evaluating accidents, such as that reported by the Driscolls."
NutriBullet maintains that millions of customers use the product every day without issue, and that any cases of injuries are likely caused by user error.
Copyright 2018 FOX 11 Los Angeles: Download our mobile app for breaking news alerts or to watch FOX 11 News | Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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