In the 1960s and 1970s more than 100 films were partially shot at these two film sets in the bleak Almeria desert landscape of Tabernas, including Westerns such as A Fistful of Dollars, The Magnificent Seven, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; also Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
A guide to the beaches near Algeciras. Getares is the most popular, also known as Playa de San García, is a large and sandy beach that stretches for around a kilometre to the west of Algeciras town To the west of Algeciras are four small coves with beaches with access only on foot.
Their willowy, wispy branches and strong trunks grace hillsides and craggy cliffside areas, while the pink and white colours of their blossom, from late January to mid-February, cover the countryside in a soft blanket. Hills of almond blossom offer an unforgettable sight - well worth seeing if you ever have the opportunity.
Driving in Andalucia is very similar to driving in other European countries, but there are numerous differences – often quite subtle – so it pays to take the time to be sure understand the rules in Spain before heading out onto the roads.
Phone and broadband internet connection is now commonplace in the large cities and in the highly populated coasted areas of Andalucia. However, there are still some far-flung rural areas where internet and even land line connection is not guaranteed. Telefónica, Spanish equivalent of BT, is the main national land line provider.
Whether you have been in Spain for just a few days or for years one of the things which confuses many foreigners is telephone numbers. There is a logical system of numbering in.
When you take your mobile to another country, this usually means that you no longer have coverage from your service provider even though this is about to change under new EU rules. If you have a UK mobile that you need to use in Spain, you should contact your service provider at home at least a week before you leave.
If you are going to be a regular visitor to Spain or Andalucia, you may want to buy a SIM card and a Spanish mobile phone rather than rely on the roaming service provided by your home providor.
The majority of land-line telephone connections in Andalucia are provided by the best known telephone company in Spain, Movistar. They used to be called Telefónica and are often refered to as Telefonica. This used to be a state-owned monopoly, and still has around 80% if the market. You may decide to use other providers such as Vodaphone, Orange, Jazztel.
Although there are some regional and national fixed-line providers in Andalucia, the previously state owned monopoly, Telefónica, is still the main provider of the basic telephone line and is still the choice of almost 90% of users. Over recent years new companies have emerged, trying to bite into Telefónica’s hold on the market.
Telephoning from Spain is not difficult. The international direct dial access code is 00. Dial 00 plus the country code plus the area code and phone number. (Don't forget you may need to drop an '0' before the area code) Thus a London number from a Spanish phone becomes: 00 44 208 1234.
Compared to many countries, taxis in Malaga and taxis Costa del Sol are reasonably cheap throughout Spain, however they are not always metered. If not drivers will carry a booklet of the official rates authorised by the local town hall. Since there are supplements, such as extra baggage, night service, etc.
The urban morphology of the two small cities of Úbeda and Baeza in southern Spain dates back to the Moorish ninth century and to the Reconquista in the 13th century. An important development took place in the 16th century, when the cities were subject to renovation along the lines of the emerging Renaissance.
Cordoba's period of greatest glory began in the 8th century after the Moorish conquest, when some 300 mosques and innumerable palaces and public buildings were built to rival the splendours of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. In the 13th century, under Ferdinand III, the Saint, Cordoba's Great Mosque was turned into a cathedral and new defensive structures
Together these three buildings form a remarkable monumental complex in the heart of Seville. The cathedral and the Alcázar - dating from the Reconquest of 1248 to the 16th century and imbued with Moorish influences - are an exceptional testimony to the civilization of the Almohads as well as that of Christian Andalusia.
The Alhambra: the most romantic building in the world, and Spain's top tourist attraction (book tickets well in advance), full of exquisitely decorated palaces with hidden courtyards. Exhibitions, and outdoor plays and concerts in summer.
Travel transfers offer 24 hour transportation in a rental car with driver. You can book your travel transfers in Andalucia by Internet, even for public holidays. Your driver can meet you as soon as you arrive, at a pre-designated area in the airport holding a sign with your name.
Although these beaches are in the municipality of Chiclana de la Frontera, they are actually located some 7km away near the village of Sancti Petri. This popular beach stretches 2.5km from the the puerto deportivo of Sancti Petri to the old watch tower, Torre de la Bermeja.
If you want a break from the clamour and crowds on the Costa then explore Mijas, Alhaurin, Coin, Monda, Ojen and also Istan. The scenery is quite spectacular and the roads are well-travelled, yet perfectly good.
If you're arriving at Malaga airport, you don't have to head straight to the coast. There is lots more to see in this beautiful province, from the city itself, full of outstanding art galleries and museums (Picasso), to the stunning national parks and picturesque mountain villages with narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and flower-filled balconies.
