I get a little nostalgic when I think of Cangas de Onís in northern Spain, partly because of its ‘puente’ or ‘Roman’ bridge, which arches impressively over the River Sella. I’m often drawn towards old bridges, as they’re typically pretty, offer views and provide a link to the past. Cangas de Onís was also nearly …
A foliage-covered monolith sweeps towards the wastelands, where the sirocco drinks from quiet hills and breathes life into dust. Above parched hues of gold and lustier green, houses are perched theatrically, their backyards plummeting towards the tombs of desperate prisoners and the damned. At eventide, their whitewashed walls burn like salt crystals and Ronda’s gorge …
After experiencing the merciless sun, dust and parched hills of southern Spain, I decided to head north in search of my favourite colour – green. It was here that I discovered a land of lush meadows, jagged mountains, stews, cider and Celtic culture. It was also here that I discovered I was much happier. So …
I had the unfortunate experience of visiting Seville’s Real Alcázar (royal palace) in late July, when the city was a flaming inferno of pain and torture (it really was). However, I’d also heard very little about it prior to my visit, which made my experience all the more memorable. I soon discovered – even while …
Sixty six square metres of dust surrounded by a ring of stonework – of pillars, arched roofs and curved seats that have witnessed the countless spilling of blood. Men in ornate jackets, winged hats and tights, carrying capes and swords – parading, then lunging, spinning, then stabbing. Wearing down an animal until its last breath …
A towering stone edifice with both an enchanting and dark side drops some 120 metres into the Río Guadalevín, stretching across the Tajo de Ronda (Ronda Gorge) to form the Spanish city of Ronda. This world famous bridge, the Puente Nuevo, is the centrepiece of what could well be Spain’s most breathtaking city. I’d heard …
It was autumn when I visited the ‘Roman’ bridge in Cangas de Onís, northern Spain. Amber, lime and gold-coloured trees flanked the Sella River, one of the best waterways in Spain for salmon. Layers of mountain silhouettes loomed beyond the trees, while a replica of Spain’s famous Victory Cross hung from the bridge’s centre. Merlin’s …
My first experience of Granada, Spain felt very surreal. Our little apartment in the old quarter of this Moorish city – the Albaicín – had a rooftop balcony that looked straight onto the Alhambra – a striking, world famous palace and fortress. Each morning, afternoon and night we would sit and stare at this imposing …
A Day at the Alhambra – The Red Castle on the Hill Read More »
I was told by a teaching colleague in Gijón, northern Spain, about a fetching village nearby called Candás. Deciding to investigate, I boarded the train in Gijón with my team and took the 20 minute ride, passing industry, rolling green hills and rugged coastline. The train was empty, the fields were quiet and the sky …
While largely overshadowed by fellow Andalucían cities Seville and Granada, Jerez de la Frontera is an alluring Spanish city in its own right. Jerez, whose name was adapted from the Arabic word for sherry (sherish), is the alleged birthplace of fortified wine. It’s also the epicentre of flamenco and it’s well known for its horse …
Arriving in Oviedo, Spain, I found myself zipping through clean streets in a tidy cab to the sounds of classical music. I passed boxy, ornate buildings – the kind you’re more likely to see in northern Europe. Exiting the cab, I stepped past jovial patrons, over streets stained with cider and entered my hotel. A …
The breakwater in the town of Llanes in northern Spain is a strangely beautiful place. Colourful concrete cubes lay strewn across the shoreline like some giant’s playpen, while further east, green, mist-covered hills abruptly meet the sea. To the south, the towering karst ridge of Sierra del Cuera hems in this little fishing village, rising …