This year´s Perseid meteor shower promises to be one of the most spectacular shows ever, thanks to a new moon on August 14 creating the perfect conditions for watching the shower of shooting stars. The Perseids, one of the brighter meteor showers of the year, occur every year between July 17 and August 24. This year, the best nights are expected to be tonight and tomorrow ( 12 & 13 August ), due to the extra-dark skies just before the new...
top 5 best lists
Andalucia emerges as gastro-destination Andalucia in southern Spain has long been derided for its poor cuisine by foreigners, ever since the Romantic travellers returned with tales of “culinary abominations” like cold, thick soup (gazpacho) and the lingering taste of oil and garlic! Even within Spain, Andalucia has been sneered at as the “land of the fried fish” for its perceived lack of culinary creativity. And this North/South divide has...
Spain has just registered a record year with tourist numbers reaching an incredible 60.6 million in 2013. The Alhambra in Granada also broke its previous best, with 2.3 million visitors last year. So, with Spain back on everyone’s “bucket list”, we thought we’d come up with a tempting “14 Best Places to Go" list for Southern Spain in 2014… Where to go in Spain in 2014 MARCH 1: Art & Cultures of Al-Andalus, the Power of the Alhambra Catch the...
Looking for a romantic getaway in Andalucia...? Didn’t get the time off for a Valentines escape, and still need inspiration for a romantic break this year..? Well, Andalucia has been listed in Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for 2014 , as one of the most romantic destinations for travelers this year. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon or just looking for a nice romantic weekend away, we think Lonely Planet is spot on when it says...
The world’s largest travel website, Tripadvisor , has just announced its Travellers Choice Awards for 2014 based on millions of reviews during the past year. The awards feature several categories of accommodation from Small Hotels to B&Bs & Inns and list the “Top 25” for each country. Casa Olea is delighted to have been included in their Best B&Bs & Inns in Spain list for the 3 rd year running. This year, we have noticed that...
Autumn in Andalucia - Best of Spain for Foodies. .. Thinking of Where is best to go in November ? Well, Autumn is a wonderful time of year to visit the interior of Andalucia, especially for Foodies, with the Quince and Pomegranate on the trees and the Olive Harvest just beginning. Plus, the weather is usually ideal (bright sunny days and mid 20sC) for siteseeing without the crowds and for walking in the sierras too. Why not combine a few days in...
The mesmerizing Mezquita (Cathedral / Great Mosque) in Cordoba has been included in the “ Top 25 Landmarks in the World ” list announced by Tripadvisor website today. Ranked at No.6 in the world, Cordoba’s Mezquita is Europe’s highest-placed attraction, beating all of the bigger-name sites like the St Peter’s Basilica and Colosseum (Rome), Duomo (Florence) and the Eiffel Tower (Paris) to the top spot. Two of Andalucia’s other great cultural...
Priego de Cordoba , has been voted by users of Tripadvisor as one of the top 15 most beautiful towns in Spain, in a report published by Viajar magazine (issue 408), one of the country’s leading travel magazines. The article mentions not only the town’s delightful historic centre but also refers to the surrounding Sierras Subbeticas national park and the region’s strong cultural traditions (Easter week etc). Sitting proudly alongside Priego de...
Andalucia’s first gastro-market, Mercado Victoria , opens in Cordoba; plus our “Top 5 Foodie Highlights” of Andalucia... Cordoba’s new gastro-market, Mercado Victoria, has opened this week; just in time for the city’s famous Patios Festival (8-19 May). It is the first gourmet market in Andalucia, similar in concept to the popular San Miguel market in Madrid, and promises to be a major new attraction for Cordoba - a city which is fast becoming...
Casa Olea has just been included in the Top 16 List of Eco-friendly Inns/B&Bs worldwide by BedandBreakfast.com in honor of upcoming Earth Day (22 APRIL) – the only eco hotel in Spain to make the list. Green accommodation in Andalucia, with indulgent touches We love the stunning countryside of this hidden corner of Andalucia and we’re serious about helping to preserve it the way it is. So, as the line between genuine “eco hotel” and “green...
