In these days of international travel, the world often seems to be a much smaller place, while, in many senses it is much larger. Many people move from one country to another without a second’s thought and without so much as a word to friends or family who may wonder where they have moved on to.
An historical overview of Andalucia from the prehistoric beginnings through the Romans and the History of Spain, Jews in Spain, Moors, through the Dark Ages, the Reconquest, Christian rule, Christian rule, Spain's First Constitution, the Bourbons to Andalucia moves with Europe.
When tourists arrive on the Costa del Sol for their summer holidays or mid-winter break they soon discover that some of their fellow countrymen are so enamoured with the place that they stayed behind when their group went home or organised a move, lock, stock and barrel, or made elaborate plans to retire here when the time came.
When tourists arrive on the Costa del Sol for their summer holidays or mid-winter break they soon discover that some of their fellow countrymen are so enamoured with the place that they stayed behind when their group went home or organised a move, lock, stock and barrel, or made elaborate plans to retire here when the time came.
Alcaidesa is home to a two very popular and rewarding golf courses. Both Morocco and Gibraltar are visible on clear days and the sea is only a drive away, excuse the pun. The Alcaidesa Links golf course is a beauty for beginners and the Alcaidesa Heathland golf course is spectacular course only opened in 2007 by Dave Thomas.
Opened in the 1960´s as a riding school, El Ranchito now hosts the most spectacular Andalucian horse show on the Costa Del Sol. José Gonzalez bought the ranch in 1975, and continued running it as a school until the 1990´s when he decided to create a family horse show with animals trained by him.
Flamenco is a passionate and seductive art form, a mysterious and misunderstood culture that has been burning in Andalucía for nearly five hundred years, and today flamenco has thousands of aficionado’s worldwide.
In most wine-growing districts of Andalucia and Spain, the vintage or grape harves begins on the feast of St Matthew (21st September). In Jerez it starts officially on 8th September, the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. The first grapes may be picked a week or two early, especially if the weather has been very dry and sunny. The harvest lasts about a month.
Every town and village in Andalucia has its own feria or fair, and it would be possible, if one had superhuman powers of endurance, to spend the whole summer following them about the region. The summer annual feria originated in the middle ages, and was the principal means of interchange of local products within the kingdom.
Certain festivals seem to summarise life in Spain, with its love of having a good time in the company of friends and loved ones. The Night of San Juan is definitely one of these events. It is a celebration that is usually held on the beach with roaring bonfires, drink, food, and friends. It is a memorable, almost surreal scene and one that needs to be experienced.
Andalucia is famous for its pilgrimages or "romerías" - so called because pilgrims traditionally walked to Rome, and therefore became known as "romeros" - to popular shrines, around which fiestas are held.
Each town has one or two patron saints. There will be a local bank holiday and celebrations on the day of the patron saint of the town according to the catholic calendar. Check for dates in the town's pages in our regional section.
Theatre Festivals. Sevilla, Málaga, Cadiz, Jerez and other cities offer theatre and opera festivals and programmes.
This festival is more popular in the east of Andalucia in the mainly provinces of Granada and Almeria, It takes place on different many days through out the year depending on the locality.
The May Crosses Festival (Cruces de Mayo) is celebrated in many parts of the world, especially in Latin America and Spain. And in Spain, the festival holds special importance in many parts of Andalucia, but especially Córdoba, which has the most famous celebration.
The Jerez Horse Fair, known as the Feria del Caballo, is traditionally held during the first or second week in May. It is an exciting and lively event that brings the entire city to the González Hontoria fairground, which covers an area of 52,000 square meters, giving ample space for the finest horses of Jerez, as synonymous with the city as sherry and flamenco, to show off to the crowds.
Festivals in Almeria: La Virgen del Mar, La Virgen del Carmen, Cabalgata de Reyes Magos, Romería a Torregarcía, Carnaval, Día de Andalucía, Semana Santa, Cruces de Mayo, Noche de San Juan, Virgen del Carmen and more.
Spain is known world-wide as a country of many fiestas - festivals of religious fervour like Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) and festivals of a more secular nature like winter carnivals. You can find celebrations for just about every taste if you travel far and wide enough in this country.
Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional (Festival of International Tourism interest) is a honorary title awarded to about 56 festivals in Spain by the Secretario General de Turismo del Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio del Gobierno de España. These are published in the BOE (Boletin Oficial del Estado). This is the highest level of award.
This route starts at San Juan del Puerto northeast of Huelva City and ends 36km further north in Valverde del Camino, passing through a region of gently rolling hills known as El Andévalo. The route is surfaced in places and is suitable for walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and horse riders.
The Via Verde Subbeticas is a southern extention of the Vía Verde of the Olive Oil that originates in Jaen city. The Via Verde Subbeticas covers 56 km, much of it on the fringes of the limestone mountainous area of the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park. It links a series of beautiful villages, such as Zuheros, Luque and Cabra.
