On the last Sunday of August in even years, at the entrance of the festival dance in Fuencaliente, horses can be heard neighing and the band strikes up the Horses’ Polka. This is the start of the caballos fuscos parade. It consists of horses, made out of cane covered by coloured papers, ridden by smart [...]
On the night of September 8th, everybody is entertained while dancing in the verbena in Tijarafe and waiting impatiently in the La Candelaria square, next to the church, for the El Diablo (the Devil) to burst in. El Diablo arrives stealthily. Then he bursts in, blazing with fire and colour, music and much fun.
On the Saturday closest to 13th June, San Antonio del Monte blesses the cattle of Garafía in a fair where both Palmeran and foreign cattle breeds compete, as do Pastor Garafiano, the local shepherds’ dog also a wide range of the different local cheeses. Goats, sheep, horses are also included in this fair. This celebration [...]
Every five years, in June, July and August, Santa Cruz de la Palma celebrates the Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves, its most important celebration in honour of the Patron Saint of the island, the Virgen de Las Nieves. This celebration repeats the order given by the bishop Bartolomé García Ximénez in 1676 to [...]
La Palma is full of crosses either along its numerous paths or on the hills. They are crossroads or they crown mountains. On La Palma, even crosses have their own celebration which is held on May 3rd when they are decorated by means of flowers and candles are lit in front of them. In their [...]
In Tazacorte, in the end of September, and as part of the celebrations in honour of Saint Michael and to the music of the song “Vuela, vuela, palomita”, the Caballos Fufos parade takes place. Around 20 horses, made out of cane covered with tissue paper, dance through the streets, led by a giraffe.
It’s not so that they take the obviously-heavy statues along the street. It’s the costumes. They remind me of the Klu Klux Klan. This is unfair, because the costumes concerned are far older than the KKK. They ensure anonymity, but in this case it’s not to avoid prosecution; apparently it’s to stop onlookers admiring your [...]
One of the biggest annual fiestas in La Palma is Corpus Christi in Mazo. Catholics all over the world celebrate Corpus Christi, but here they celebrate with the most wonderful archways and carpets decorated with petals,leaves and seeds.
In Santa Cruz de la Palma, Carnival starts the Friday before Ash Wednesday and goes on until the early hours of Sunday morning, called Piñata Sunday, ten days later. The varied programme always starts with a children’s parade and includes dances in the street, parties in the Sailing Club, the Casino and the Investigator’s Social [...]
The Westin Palace Madrid Hotel
The 1912 palatial hotel was built on the former site of the palace of the Duke and Duchess of Medinaceli. A string of famous guests have stayed here from Salvador Dali to novelist Isabel Allende and movie director Richard Attenborough, but well-heeled business travelers tend to dominate. The entrance hall, decorated with murals of Italian [...]
Estepona Gran Hotel Playabella
The Playahoteles hotel chain is present on the Costa del Sol through Gran Playabella Hotel, one of the group’s best establishments.
Gran Hotel Melia Don Pepe, Marbella
Sol Meliá, a worldwide leader in holiday travel, is a hotel chain with 50 years’ experience. Its 350 hotels are located in more than 30 countries, and the Meliá Don Pepe is undoubtedly one of its finest. Completely renovated in 2004, this luxury hotel is an oceanfront property, situated on the sea promenade, only 500 [...]
Gibraltar is situated at the narrow entrance to the Mediterranean Sea on one side of the well-known Straits of Gibraltar. Across the water a dozen miles away lies Northern Africa. Far from a mere geological outcropping, the city is a fascinating mixture of Spanish and British culture.
Chances are that you might have traveled on a cable car before, but watch out for the difference when you opt for the cable car trip to Mount Tiede. This is unquestionable one of the most breathtaking rides in the world. Your journey begins at a height of 2,356 meters above sea level and ends [...]
Granada Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens tour
Take a trip to Granada and the Alhambra Palace, one of the most beautiful architectural marvels in the world, on a day tour from the Costa del Sol. Granada is home to two of Spain’s best-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the gardens of the Generalife and the exquisite Moorish architecture of the Alhambra Palace.
