Magazine - 2010

Welcome to the Andalucia Magazine Highlights 2010!

This ezine is dedicated to southern Spain, where the sun shines, outdoor life is the order of the day, and parties are celebrated everywhere, all the year round, from tiny villages to big cities, with everyone from babies to grandparents joining in the fun. Whatever your interests – bird-watching, adrenalin sports, gastronomy, nightlife, culture, history, a villa with sea views, or just lying on a beach – you’ll find what you’re after here in Andalucia. Explore the finest of the region in the pages of southern Spain's best online magazine.

Visit our current issue of Andalucia Magazine, with details of events happening around the region this month, from contemporary art exhibitions, to age-old local fiestas. We list all the most important ferias and local happenings from every part of Andalucia, whether in the smallest hamlets or major cities – Carnaval, Spring Fairs, music festivals. Back issues of Andalucia Magazine can be viewed here too. Every month we bring you an updated edition of this essential information source, focusing on aspects of Andalucian culture both traditional and modern, and famous personalities: writers, singers, actors, designers, restaurateurs, artists, bullfighters and many other celebrities born in Andalucia or otherwise connected to southern Spain – Picasso, Antonio Banderas, Jose Pizarro, to name a few. Andalucia Magazine is your number one ezine for all things Andalucian.

There are so many Andalucias: the quiet, off-the-beaten track one, where you can rent a villa in the middle of nowhere, do all your shopping from local growers and producers, and enjoy the solitude and spectacular mountain views with abundant wildlife on your doorstep – try the Sierra de Ronda, the Alpujarras, the Picos de Aroche, close to Doñana National Park, a birder’s paradise. Then there’s the cultural buzz of a cosmopolitan city, perfect for a weekend break: the latest avant-garde art exhibitions, quirky museums, one-off fashion designers, contemporary architecture, trendy tapas bars and glam rooftop terraces: Malaga, Granada, Seville.

Beach bunnies will love super-chic resorts with all-night open-air cocktail bars and nightclubs, where they can rub shoulders with other glamorous, sophisticated people. Or for the more low-key – a quiet cove with a small chiriginguito (beach restaurant) where children can splash about in rock pools or explore caves – the Costa de Almeria. If history’s your thing, then Andalucia has prehistoric caves, Moorish castles, fairytale palaces, Roman ruins, stories, legends and dynasties to keep you interested for years, including many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Those who want a fast-paced adventure can find steep mountains to climb, snowboard, bike or parascend down, big waves to surf on, and fast rivers to kayak.

Nowadays southern Spain offers a huge range of holiday courses where you can learn about everything from photography and painting, to yoga and spiritual healing, to flamenco dancing, to sherry and cooking. A double-bonus – you get to find our more about a passion, while enjoying the wonderful warm weather and hospitality of the Andalucians. The latest fashion is for bootcamps – a fast, fun way to lose weight and get fit; less energetic, but equally enjoyable (and scenic, too) is golf: there are over 100 courses, with many located on the Costa del Sol.

Foodies are well catered for in Andalucia, whose reputation as a gastronomic destination continues to grow – hardly surprising, with such superb produce on offer, cultivated and farmed for centuries – jamon iberico, fresh seafood and vegetables. Whether it’s tapas, a three-course meal, or a full-blown tasting menu, innovation and prime raw ingredients make for a memorable eating experience. Many towns and cities also hold regular markets selling local produce, so you can take a piece of Andalucia home with you. Whatever your tastes – and budget – southern Spain offers you a truly memorable holiday.

You’d be hard-pressed to do and see everything in one trip, which is why so many decide to move to southern Spain, either for part of the year – to escape the increasingly harsh British winters, for example - or permanently.

If you decide to stay, Andalucia Magazine will also provide you with all the information you need for living in Andalucia, whether you choose to retire here, or to set up a business and enjoy a whole new life in the sun.

Christmas Shopping © iStock

arrowChristmas Shopping

Seasonal ideas, from baubles to candles, handicraft and charity markets.

5 Fascinating facts for Christmas © MVC

arrowXmas 5 Fascinating facts

Zambombas, grapes, and your own holy family - it's the festive season five.

New Year Celebrations  © iStock

arrowNew Year Celebrations

See in the New Year in a five-star hotels or a country house.

Alhambra - Unesco World Heritage site in Andalucia © MVC

arrowUnesco in Andalucia

Andalucia has six World Heritage Sites - 5 cultural and 1 natural.

© MVC

arrowInterview - Jose Pizarro

Exclusive intereview with celebrity chef José Pizarro.

Skiing in Sierra Nevada © MVC

arrowSkiing Season 2010-11

Sierra Nevada the most southerly ski resort in Europe.

Trains in Andalucia

arrowTrains in Andalucia

Sit back & enjoy the scenery, let Andalucia's trains take the strain.

Antequera Peña de los Enamorados (Lover's Rock) © MVC

arrowAntequera fascinating facts

Prehistoric, Roman, Renaissance... this Malaga hilltown is a historical gem.

TSMS Lakonia

arrowTSMS Lakonia

The moving story of the Lakonia tragedy, and how our forum has helped survivors.

Tamara, Andalucian Singer

arrowTamara

Exclusive Interview with Tamara, Andalucian Singer

Ronda Fascinating Facts © MVC

arrowRonda Fascinating facts    

Ronda has a rich cultural tradition and home of modern bullfighting.  

The Vendimia Festival © MVC

arrowThe Vendimia Festival

In Jerez the vendimia festival starts officially on 8th September.

Malaga Feria 2010 © MVC

arrowMálaga Feria 2010

The Malaga Feria is one of the biggest parties of the year in Spain.

Jerez Fascinating Facts © MVC

arrowJerez Fascinating facts

Located inland, 20 km from Sanlúcar, Jerez is Sherry, Horses, and Flamenco.

Theme Parks in Andalucia © MVC

arrowTheme Parks in Andalucia

There is something for everyone from small children to adults in the Theme parks of Andalucia

Andalucia Beaches © MVC

arrowAndalucia Beaches

Andalucia has over 800 Km of coastline most of which is sandy beach.

Tarifa Fascinating Facts © MVC

arrow Tarifa Fascinating facts

Famous for being the European capital of kite-surfing

Virgen del Carmen festivity © MVC

arrowVirgen del Carmen

On July 16 fishing villages & towns up and down the Coast will celebrate the Virgen del Carmen.

Beer in Andalucia © MVC

arrowBeer in Andalucia

Beer (cerveza) is enormously popular in Spain

Marbella Fascinating Facts © MVC

arrowMarbella Fascinating facts

Marbella's known as the playground of Europe's rich and famous

The 3rd of May (1814) © of the Pitzkov Family and Prado National Museum

arrowGoya's Andalucían secret

Chris Dove pays tribute to the painter

El Rociao pilgrimage © MVC

arrowThe El Rocio Pilgrimage

El Rocío pilgrimage is the most famous in the region.

Cordoba Fascinating Facts © MVC

arrowCordoba Fascinating facts

This month we visit the historic city of Cordoba

Cordoba May festivals © Michelle Chaplow

arrowCordoba May festivals

May is a month of endless festivities in Cordoba

Semana Santa © Michelle Chaplow

arrow Seville's April Fair

It's Feria time in Seville! This is one Andalucian celebration not to miss.

Huelva Fascinating Facts - © Michelle Chaplow

arrow Almeria Fascinating facts

Mining, movies, music and Moors in this little-known port city

Sevilla FC - Real Betis

arrow Joselito Ortega interview

Meet the shy bullfighter who doesn't like gory movies

Semana Santa © Michelle Chaplow

arrowSemana Santa

Is an event that literally transforms towns and cities across the region

Huelva Fascinating Facts - © Michelle Chaplow

arrowHuelva Fascinating Facts

This month we visit the enchanting city of Huelva

Sevilla FC - Real Betis

arrowSevilla FC - Real Betis

Sevilla FC - Real Betis Balompie: a century of football rivalry

© iStock - Andalucia is the perfect place for renewable energy.

arrowGreen Andalucia

Andalucia is the perfect place for renewable energy

Cadiz´s name and reputation is linked with its maritime adventures

arrowCadiz Fascinating Facts

This month we visit the enchanting city of Cádiz

Confeti at the Carnival. © Michelle Chaplow

arrowCarnivals in Andalucia

The carnival is a “fiesta of the people”.

Sun, sand, fiestas and more © Michelle Chaplow

arrowHolidays in Andalucia

Sun, sand, fiestas and more ...

Go green in Seville with a tour by bicycle © Michelle Chaplow

arrowRenting a bike in Seville

Go green in Seville with a tour by bicycle.

Five facinating facts - Malaga © Michelle Chaplow

arrowMalaga facinating facts

This month we visit the enchanting city of Málaga

Andalucia Highlights