Lonely Planet Spain (Travel Guide)

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There are plenty of things to do in Marbella with the kids, too, from the thrilling water parks to the beautiful eco reserves. And the region is full of old-world charm, from the pretty village of Mijas to the cobbled streets of Old Town. So if you want guaranteed sunshine, ancient architecture and a heavy dose of glamour, holidays to Marbella are for you! You’ll have easy access to several beaches when you stay in Ibiza Town, including some of Ibiza’s best. Just outside the centre are the sands of the family-friendly Figueretas Beach and Talamanca Beach, which is more suited to adults. And if you go a little further (but not much), there’s Playa d’en Bossa, a beach that’s so long the atmosphere changes as you walk along it. This is where you’ll find both the liveliest beach bars and the quietest places for complete relaxation.

Ever wonder what it would be like to live in Spain as a British expat since the 80’s? The author, Giles Tremelet, has been doing just this, and in his time here has acquired quite the inside view of Spanish life and culture. Vengeance in the Valencian Water by Caroline Baker. A prolific writer with many titles available on Spanish themes. Take a day trip to the historic town of Ciutadella, the former capital of Menorca. See its beautiful medieval cathedral, wander through the charming old quarter, and visit the covered market at the Placa Libertat. In the evening, have a walk around the picturesque port before enjoying delicious paella or other seafood dishes at one of the waterfront restaurants here. Cathedral of the Sea is another historical fiction novel that takes place in Barcelona, although this time in the 14th century. Here, we find the city during a time of massive growth and prosperity. This book may remind readers of Ken Follett’s work, The Pillars of the Earth. For anyone traveling to Barcelona, this storyline follows the building of the Santa Maria del Mar cathedral. The main character, Arnau Estanyol, becomes a stoneworker that aids in the construction of the church. Meanwhile, his best friend, Joanet, is studying to enter the priesthood. You’ll read about important moments in Barcelona’s history, including the Inquisition, the bubonic plague, and the treatment of women, Jews, and Moors during the 14th century. This novel was so successful that it was even turned into a 2018 TV series by the same name. Historical fiction about Spain The Assassin’s Mark: A Novel of the Spanish Civil War byDavid Ebsworth Colour-coded places chapters with detailed coverage of places and sights, presented in a points-of-interest structureIn Zafón’s series finale, we’re introduced to a new heroine: Alicia Gris, an investigator for the secret police in Madrid. After taking on a case involving the disappearance of Spain’s Minister of Culture, Alicia crosses paths with the Sempere family in Barcelona. Together, they uncover a dangerous conspiracy tied to the Franco regime–however, her search for the truth may ultimately cost her her life. If you don’t have time to read all four books in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series, readers generally agree that The Shadow of the Wind and The Labyrinth of the Spirits are the favorites. Cathedral of the Sea byIldefonso Falcones One of the favourite beach resort destinations in Tenerife, you’re sure to fall in love the moment you set foot on the wonderful sandy waterfronts. Each one is Blue Flag-rated and a fantastic example of the natural beauty of Tenerife. Costa Adeje’s beaches have the silkiest sand brought in from the Sahara Desert, perfect for you to relax all day beside the sea. The shallow water makes it ideal for toe-dippers and paddlers, or more adventurous types can head out for some serious water-based fun.

Steps Out of Time, One Woman's Journey on the Camino is Katharine Soper's memoir of her pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. She documents the history, culture, and beauty of this ancient pilgrimage all while comparing it with her overwhelm about the pace of modern life. Spain-Gibraltar (UK): in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain does not recognize British sovereignty beyond the original fortified perimeter of the city and disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; after voters in the UK chose to leave the EU in a June 2016 referendum, Spain again proposed shared sovereignty of Gibraltar; UK officials rejected Spain’s joint sovereignty proposal note 2: the Emergency Response Unit was established in 2006 as a separate branch of service for responding to natural disasters and providing disaster relief both domestically and abroad; it has personnel from all the other military services From the whitewashed buildings of Mojácar to the traditional culture of Roquetas de Mar, holidays to Costa de Almeria are great for peaceful breaks in idyllic settings. You can head out on scenic walks in the hills or stroll along golden beaches. Bars and restaurants can be found in the eco-resort of El Toyo, where you can fill your Costa de Almeria holidays with new Spanish flavours.

Books set in Southern Spain

Translating to the "White Coast", Costa Blanca holidays are popular with beach lovers. Stunning white sands stretch for miles, making it perfect for those long, lazy days soaking up the sun. It's more than just beaches, though. Holidays to Costa Blanca can take you up into the hills, where the countryside is rich with colour, charming vineyards and the smell of citrus and almond groves. In the evenings, Costa Blanca nightlife is not to be missed. Carefully planned routes covering the best of Spain give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. Extensive practical travel information including getting there, getting around, climate information, safety tips, accommodation explanations, food & drink advice and shopping essentials As slow travelers, there’s nothing more experience enhancing than reading up on your next destination. As avid lovers of Spain (we lived in Madrid for several years), we never tire of reading a wide variety of Spain books.

All guides published from January 2021 are printed on paper from responsible sources verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards If you’re new to Spanish history, you may not be familiar with its relationship with Islam. In fact, large portions of the Iberian Peninsula were once a Muslim kingdom. Even today, Spain carries traces of al-Andalus in its culture, architecture, and even languages. This book is an overall interesting read on a fascinating civilization. Barcelona by Robert HughesHe asks questions that no one dares to ask behind major historical and political events and expounds answers to these. These include: Who caused the Spanish Civil War? Why do Basque terrorists kill? Why do Catalans hate Madrid? The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon Set in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, it makes you feel as though you are there. All This I Will Give to You is a gripping read that transports the reader to the heart of misty, green rural Galicia. Following a tragic car accident that killed his husband Álvaro, the main character, Manuel, travels from Madrid to Galicia to wrap up Álvaro’s affairs. He’s soon caught in a dangerous web of secrets kept by ancient nobility as he becomes less and less clear on who his husband really was. While the first part of the book doesn’t take place during Spain, it’s a different perspective of the Spanish Civil War, written by a female Spanish author as opposed to an expat man. The climate in Spain varies from region to region, but you can generally expect hot and dry summers, with temperatures hitting the high-20s (°C) wherever you are. Over in the Balearic Islands, things start to heat up in May, with highs in the mid-20s. Enjoy peak temperatures of 30°C in July and August. Things are similar over on mainland Spain, with sunny summers in the mid-20s, and mild spring and autumns seasons, too. Down south, the Canary Islands (or the ‘Islands of Eternal Spring’) enjoy warm, sub-tropical weather. It hardly ever drops below 20°C in winter, with highs of around 25°C in the summer months. The western islands have the most rain, but it's only the occasional shower during summer.