Author: julia

04 Oct Stunning palaces in Spain

It’s hard not to stumble upon a Palace when visiting Spain There is no doubt that our country has played a significant and powerful role in world’s history and the vast number of Royal Palaces and stately homes located in splendid surroundings all over the country are the best proof of it. We have selected the most stunning ones that you should not miss on your next visit to Spain! Let us know when you come and will make sure we add some of them on your customised itinerary.

Palacio de Liria (Madrid)

For the first time, the Liria Palace is opening its impressive collection of paintings, sculpture, tapestries, furniture, engravings, documents, books and decorative arts to the public. Some of its most notable paintings include Goya’s portrait of the Duchess of Alba, portraits of the Grand Duke of Alba by Titian and Rubens, and works by such masters as Velázquez, Zurbarán and El Greco.

The tour of the Liria Palace also includes the library, with a first edition of Don Quixote (from 1605), the last will and testament of King Ferdinand II of Aragón, a collection of letters by Christopher Columbus, and the Alba Bible, which was one of the first Spanish translations of the Old Testament.

A total of 12 rooms can be visited in the palace, which was built in 1767-1785. In the Neoclassical style, it was begun by the French architect Louis Gilbert and finished by the Spaniard Ventura Rodríguez. It is also notable as the only palace in Madrid still in use as a private residence, and one of the most important in Spain.

PALACIO REAL (Madrid)

The Royal Palace is one of the top tourist attractions in Madrid. It is the official residence for the Royal family, but these days they only use it for state ceremonies. The rest of the time it’s open to the public. Otherwise known in Spanish as the Palacio Real, the Royal Palace was built during the 18th and 19th centuries, and is a monumental building.

It replaced the former medieval Alcázar, which was burnt to the ground in 1794. The present day Royal Palace of Madrid was decorated to the tastes of Charles III, and is lavish inside. Visitors can wander through many of the rooms and banqueting halls.

Just walking around the outside of the Royal Palace is impressive. There is a vast courtyard behind elegant iron fencing. To the side of the courtyard is an unexpected and stunning view across the countryside beyond. It’s as if Madrid just stops and the fields and trees start. On a clear day this panoramic view is breath-taking!

Palacio de Dueñas (Sevilla)

The Palace of Las Dueñas, example of the Sevillian noble architecture, has a huge architectonic value that lies in the mixture of Gothic and Mudejar styles. This building’s main attraction is the combination of the majesty of the building itself, its patios and gardens, and the appealing of the collection of paintings, sculptures, tapestries, furniture and antique objects of an enormous artistic and historical interest that are stored in the palace.

This palace belongs to the House of Alba. Curiously, Antonio Machado was one of the tenants and administrator of the palace. His circumstances made possible in 1875 the birth of one of the main Spanish poets.

Real Alcazar of Sevilla

Located in the heart of Seville, the Real Alcazar is one of the oldest palaces still in use in the world. The palace has evolved through different stages over time, from the late 11th century to the present day. From its walls we can appreciate the influence of the cultures that have passed through the city.

The artistic heritage of Seville’s Alcazar was enriched by magnificent contributions in the renaissance periods, such as the spectacular tiled altar made in 1504 by Francisco Niculoso Pisano and the painted altarpiece in the Almirante room, dedicated to the Virgin of Sailors. This Renaissance splendour also shines through in the rooms of Carlos V, while the interior rooms display magnificent collections of tapestries show Carlos V conquering Tunisia.

In the 19th century, the Borbon monarchs also left their mark on the Alcazar, adding spaces in the top floor of the building, where old rooms were refurbished and decorated with tapestries, crystal lamps from La Granja, clocks, furniture and an outstanding collection of paintings.

Granja de San Ildefonso (Segovia)

Lying some 80km from Madrid and only 10km from Segovia, San Ildefonso boasts a stunning natural setting and a rich cultural heritage. A farm run by the Order of Saint Jerome, it was purchased as a summer residence by King Philip V, the first member of the French House of Bourbon to rule as king of Spain, after he abdicated.

The Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso is reminiscent of Versailles not only because of its sumptuous halls but also due to its magnificent fountains, sculptures and gardens, which were designed by René Carlier, a disciple of Louis XIV’s architect.

A selection of fountains are turned on from mid-March to mid-October, although if you’re lucky enough to be visiting on 30 May, 25 July or 25 August, you’ll get to see all the fountains in action.

Palacio de la Magdalena (Santander)

The Palace of La Magdalena is the most emblematic building of the city of Santander and one of the most prominent examples of civil architecture in northern Spain. With a majestic landscape, we can find the palace at the highest point of the Peninsula bearing the same name. Its construction, between 1908 and 1912, following the plans of Gonzalo Bringas and Javier González de Riancho, resulted from a municipal initiative: the Town Council wanted to present Kings Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia with a summer residence to consolidate the summer tradition that was taking root in the city and its province. The monarchs and their children spent their summers between 1913 and 1930 in Cantabria.

19 Aug Rural & Unspoiled Spain

While Spain is famed for its popular holiday resorts and cosmopolitan cities, it is also home to some of Europe’s most beautiful rural areas. Head off the beaten track to explore mountains, coasts and countryside in some of the best rural destinations Spain has to offer.

Here are some of our favourites:

Catalan Pyreness: VALLE DE ARÁN

Val d’Aran is located in the Central Pyrenees and it has the characteristic of an Atlantic slope valley; due to this, its main river, the Garona, makes its way through Aquitaine lands and flows into Bordeaux (France). 30% of the territory in the valley is 2000m above sea level and its Atlantic climate keeps a thick snow blanket on the mountain passes for several months over the year.

Val d’Aran consists of 33 villages where a hint of maturity in the wood, the slate and the stones is mixed up with the beauty of intense nature in the mountainous and alpine landscapes. Each of them have their own characteristics which are put out especially in their towers and steeples.

Picos de Europa National Park

This mountain range, whose name means ‘the peaks of Europe’, covers the regions of Asturias, Cantabria and Castile and León and is populated by jutting peaks that are ideal for hikers and rock climbers. It is said they get their name from the fact that the mountains were the first bit of Europe that sailors arriving from America set eyes on. The mountains are rich in flora and fauna and are home to a small population of Cantabrian brown bears, as well as wolves, eagles and vultures.

The white villages of Andalucia: GRAZALEMA Natural Park

Los Pueblos Blancos de Andalucia are a number of villages with whitewashed houses mainly set within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, in the northern part of the province of Cádiz. Some of the most popular and prettiest spots are Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra and Benaocaz. The whole area offer spectacular hiking and cycling trails, rock climbing, horseback riding and many other outdoor activities to enjoy nature with family and friends. The area has been declared a biosphere reserve since 1977 and is home to a great number of vultures and other native bird species.

GARGANTA DE LOS INFIERNOS: Valle del Jerte, Extremadura

We could say that Extremadura is a great unknown hidden among the diverse territories that conform our country. It covers a wide area and has stunning monuments inherited from the numerous cultures that once lived there. It also has natural parks full of life and surprises. Let focus our attention on the north of Cáceres province namely “Hell’s Gorge”, a beautiful natural reserve in the Jerte river valley, where water has shaped rocks giving birth to natural pools and small waterfalls.

Within this reserve, there are several itinerary options for trekking, in which you can enjoy the flora and fauna, viewpoints and bird watching, natural pools for swimming etc.

SIERRA MORENA Natural Park

The Sierra Morena is an area of sparsely populated rolling hills that run across northern Andalucia, creating a natural barrier between Extremadura to the north and Andalucia. Few tourists venture into these wild and remote pine- and oak-clad hills, with its landscape, atmosphere and village architecture more typical of adjacent Extremadura or Castilla La Mancha than the rest of Andalucia, to which it belongs.

If you want to explore the distant hills, head for the area´s coal-mining villages. Although not as picturesque as the whitewashed villages in the south of the province, the granite houses have their own brooding appeal. Espiel clings to the mountainside, while Bélmez is in a similarly magnificent spot on a rocky crag topped by a castle.

On the western flank of Cordoba´s Sierra Morena is the densely wooded Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park, which is similar in its gently rolling hills to the bordering Sierra Norte Natural Park in Seville Province. Like the Sierra Norte, the Sierra de Hornachuelos has been designated a Unesco Biosphere Reserve for its principal land use: the dehesa.

04 Jul Best 8 hidden beaches in Spain

The Iberian peninsula has a strategical location to enjoy the perfect summer holiday. From Galicia’s pristine ocean waters to Andalucia’s stunning hidden coves, Spain is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.  but some of its most dazzling are well off the beaten track. We invite you to take the road less travelled and explore those slices of Spanish paradise. Here you are our top favourite: 

PLAYA DE ARTOLA, Costa del Sol 

Playa de Artola – Cabopino belongs to the municipality of Marbella (only 13 km from the town center). It’s probably one of the best beaches in the Costa del Sol and you can feel a special sense of freedom and connection with nature. The landscape, dotted with stunning sand dunes, exceptionally clean waters and delicate natural vegetation like sea narcissus or junipers, will not leave you indifferent.

Playa de Cabopino covers an area of 1,200 metres located in the Dunas de Artola, a valuable protected nature reserve in the heart of the Costa del Sol. 
With fine sand golden in colour, this spacious beach adjacent to Cabopino Marina it also has some stretches of nudist beach.

In the area you can also visit places of great historical interest such as the Torre Ladrones, a defensive tower of Roman origin declared a Site of Cultural Interest. 

PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS, Cabo de Gata 

Don’t be alarmed by the name Playa de los Muertos (the Beach of the Dead People). Everything here is alive and extraordinary beautiful, starting with an underwater world full of life.  The coastal area of the Cabo de Gata nature reserve is well protected and has kept its natural beauty.  

Playa de los Muertos is only accessible by foot. There are no facilities so make sure you take all your provisions with you. Save some water for the taxing walk back up the hill.  

The small path leading to the beach can be somewhat tiring, especially under the scorching noon-time sun, so you’ll need a bit of motivation to get you through the 15-minute walk. But once there, you will have arrived in a natural paradise… So natural that nudism is welcome! 

BOLONIA, Tarifa  

This almost-4-km long beach finds itself 17km-far from the city of  Tarifa, Spain’s most southern city, in El Estrecho Natural Park. The beach is renowned or the blue, limpid and cold waters, the white sand and the majestic dunes. This unspoilt almost wild beach is also a true heaven for the windsurf lovers, thanks to the wind that blows constantly, and for the nudists, who can spend the day in the secluded area of El Chorrito.  

The Bolonia dune gives you the opportunity to do some sport and be rewarded by breathtaking views once you get to the top, where, on very sunny days, you can even spot the African coast. Moreover, you can jump in the past by visiting the ruins of Baelo Claudia, a very well preserved Roman town discovered in the 1970s.  

PUNTA UMBRIA, Huelva  

Huelva coastline is one of Spain’s most unspoilt areas and boasts a number of wild and quiet beaches perfect for sun and nature lovers eager to escape the crowds. This urban beach features golden sand and offer all sort of facilities and a great family-friendly atmosphere. 

MONSUL, Cabo de Gata 

Nestled in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park in southern Spain, Playa de Mónsul is one of a string of spectacular beaches in the area. Visitors can look forward to relaxing on shimmering sands and soaking in the fascinating landscape of enormous sand dunes and volcanic rock formations that carve this diamond of the Mediterranean Sea.
 

Did you know that one of the closing scenes of Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery) was filmed on this beautiful hidden Spanish beach? 

LLAFRANC, Costa Brava 

Opposite the centre of the village of Llafranc is the beach that carries the same name, which extends over 330 metres long with two clearly differentiated areas. The one closest to the small harbour that serves the area is full of boats beached on the sand. The other which is occupied by swimmers, has fine sand and is about 40 metres wide. The advantage of being integrated in an urban area is that it has numerous additional services within walking distance, including hotels, bars and restaurants and even free WiFi service.  

CALO DES MORO, Mallorca 

You don’t need to go to Asia or the Carabbean to enjoy wonderful white sand and turquoise water beaches. Mallorca is the paradise of the Mediterranean. 

Calo des Moro, about 6 kms from the town of Santany, used to be one of Mallorca’s best kept secret beaches. Unfortunately, the word has spread and now everyone knows about it. That said, it’s still worth it and one of our favourite beaches.  

CALBLANQUE, Murcia 

Its enormous natural wealth is based on its arid mountains, its long, ochre and golden-coloured beaches as well as its lonely coves, the formation of its fossil dunes, its white salt lakes and its mountain massifs, which contrast with the blue sea. 

Although access in the summertime is limited due to the large number of visitors, any other time of the year you can enjoy a wonderful, peaceful swim or go trekking along this incredible coastline. 

The true charm of this place is best felt trekking on its trails or walking barefoot on any of its beaches. From any of the Park’s elevations, the views are spectacular. 

14 Jun Tapas: a Gastronomic Journey Throughout Spain

Go out to have tapas could be considered a national sport on weekends. The good weather and the interesting gastronomy make of Spain an ideal place to enjoy delicious food. Tapas are little portions of food, usually served with a drink, from traditional dishes to modern cuisine.

• TORTILLA DE PATATAS (BILBAO)

Known as Tortilla de Patatas or Spanish omelette, this is one of the most representative dishes in the country, a must of our gastronomy. Although you can find it all over Spain, Bilbao (Basque Country region) could be one of the best places to try a traditional Tortilla.

Where? Bar Baviera, General Concha Street

• SALMOREJO (CÓRDOBA)

Tomatoes, bread and olive oil, this is how Cordoba tastes like. Salmorejo can be offered at every bar in the city but Mercado Victoria (a fancy food court) goes further and specialized in different version of this Cordoban gastronomy masterpiece.

Where? Mercado Victoria, Victoria Avenue

• CURE MEAT or ibérico products (BURGOS)

The region of Castilla y León and Burgos as its main city is known for its cure meats variety (sausages, black puddings, chorizo, ham…). At Los Herreros street you will find several bars offering these delicatessen all day long but the most vibrant atmosphere is at midday.

Where? Los Herreros Street

• CALAMARES FRITOS (MADRID)

People from Madrid love to eat calamari but the favourite way is the fried version with  mayonnaise  or ali oli (garlic sauce). Another traditional way of eating calamari in Madrid is on a sandwich at any of the local bars around Plaza Mayor.

Where? Cañadío, Conde de Peñalver Street

• ENSALADILLA RUSA (MÁLAGA)

Potatoes salad or Ensaladilla Rusa is one of the most famous tapas in Spain. As it is served cold many places cook it in the morning and they place it on the fridge, so if you order a potatoes salad tapa, you will have it served immediately. Potatoes, tuna, peppers, green peas and mayonnaise are the ingredients of this tasting recipe. Málaga is a great choice to enjoy this tapa while you explore the city.

WHERE? La Cosmopolita, José Denís Belgrano Street

• CROQUETAS (LA RIOJA)

Who doesn´t love croquets? Ham, mushrooms, chicken or spinach are the classic ones, but a long list of different flavours can be offered at most bars around Spain. In the wine region of La Rioja, the croquetas are a must to accompany a glass of their delicious red wines.

Where? Echaurren, Padre José García Street, Ezcaray (La Rioja)

• PAN TUMACA (BARCELONA)

As simple as a toasted bread with fresh tomatoes! People from Barcelona are lovers of this recipe and is served as a starter at every lunch or just for breakfast… you choose.

Jardi de l’Abadessa, Carrer de l’Abadessa Olzet

• PESCAITO FRITO (CÁDIZ)

The region of Cádiz on the Atlantic coastline in Southern Spain is the perfect spot to try the best fresh fried fish (anchoives, shrimps, calamari, octopus.. you name it). It is commonly served with lemon and handmade mayonnaise sauce.

29 May Malaga Museums: The Best Art Discovery

Malaga has the ideal location to escape for a relaxed getaway, sunbathe, enjoy good food and wine … but it is also the perfect place to discover a great cultural offer and the most interesting art galleries.

The historic city center of Malaga enjoys a great number of museums, making it one of the few cities with a high density of museums. It is not just the number of venues that attract, but all the diversity. Take this useful recommendation and visit the most attractive museums in Malaga.

– Picasso museum:

The Museo Picasso de Malaga is located 200 meters away from the place where Picasso was born. The museum was opened by the King and Queen of Spain in 2003.
The Museum is built within the 16th century Buenavista Palace and also occupies 18 houses from the old Jewish quarter. American architect Richard Gluckman drew up the plans to convert the palace and surrounding buildings into exhibition halls.
The family of Picasso donated 155 works of the artist to lay the foundation of the permanent exhibits at the museum. The collection has academic studies by the artist, cubism and his later reworking of Old Masters.

The museum also has many original paintings on long term loan. There is a collection of photographs by the Hungarian photographer, Juan Guynes who visited Picasso showing the artist’s work, workshop, his daily lifestyle and his family.

– Picasso Foundation:

The Fundacion Picasso also known as the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation was established in 1988 for the promotion and promulgation of the works of Picasso. The offices of the foundation are located in the house where Picasso was born.
The Picasso foundation runs a Picasso documentation center, stores art collections of Picasso, runs a museum and has a separate department of cultural promotion that organizes conferences and expositions.

They have researched and obtained photographs and objects about or related to the artist from all over the world. There is also an interesting library for art historians run by the Foundation. It also has temporary exhibitions of works by great artists who were contemporaries of Picasso from time to time.

– Fine arts Museum or Museo de Malaga:

In 2016 Malaga’s Museum of Fine Arts was combined with the region’s archaeological museum, both of which are now housed in a grand palace (Palacio de la Aduana or Custom House) just off the port’s Palm Garden of Surprises. The joint offering is now simply called the Museo de Malaga and houses 2,000 works in the fine arts section and 15,000 pieces in the archaeology rooms. The palace was built in 1788 by Martin Rodriguez.

– Centro Pompidou:

Opened on 28 March 2015, the Pop-Up Pompidou is housed in El Cubo, a cuboid glass structure in Malaga port, and buildings next to it. It received 76 thousand visitors in the first three months.

Divided into seven sections: metamorphoses, the body in pieces, the political body, self-portraits, man without a face, the workshop of Brancusi, and a final section dedicated to the architecture of the first Pompidou Centre, in Paris.

– Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza:

Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, one of the world’s foremost art collectors, now has her own eponymous museum in Malaga, which opened in March 2011. The paintings are from her personal collection, amassed over the past 30 years.

The permanent collection consists of 230 works, mainly by 19th-century Spanish artists, with most of the subject matter being, unsurprisingly, Andalucia: Cordoba, Malaga, Sevilla. The most famous painters whose works feature in this collection are Zurbarán, Sorolla, Zuloaga, and Julio Romero de Torres.

– Interactive museum of music:

The Museo Interactivo de la Musica is the repository of the collection of musical instruments by Miguel Angel Piedrola Orta. It is the largest private collection of musical instruments in Europe. The museum is located under the Plaza de la Marina of Ensanche Heredia.

Visitors can interact with exhibits through playing instruments, graphics systems, panels, audio inputs, interactive stations, and multimedia spaces. The museum has nine rooms with themes reflecting the different aspects of music, its origins, history, the science of music, its relationship with the brain and its cultural diversity. There is a room devoted to flamenco, the music of Andalusia, and sections for the types of musical instruments, the evolution of recorded music and music in radio and film.

– Contemporary art museum (CAC):

The Center for Contemporary Art in Malaga was established by the city government as a result of the growing demand of the people and the artistic community for a venue to showcase paintings and art of the 20th and 21st century. After the art gallery opened its doors, many local artists were able to display their creations in a facility at the heart of the city.

The Centro de Arte Contemporaneo de Malaga is housed in an old warehouse. The building stands on the location of a former wholesalers market. The structure that housed the wholesale market was designed in 1939 by architect, Luis Gutierrez Soto who was famous for his Spanish rationalist style of architecture.

– Automobile museum:

One of several new museums in Malaga – it opened in 2010 – this museum houses the private collection of Portuguese car fanatic Joao Magalhaes. The collection is worth around 25 million euros and is one of the most important vintage car collections in the world.

Constructed in 1927, it has been carefully transformed to house a collection of more than 80 vintage and modern cars, alongside fashionable travel memorabilia from the 20s, 30s 40s and 50s to keep non-car fans happy.

08 May What to Bring to Spain: 10 Essentials

If you are coming to Spain during the Spring/Summer season you might need to make a list of things to carry. But don’t worry, we are here to help you with this task and have prepared a list of 10 essentials you should bring with you for your adventure trip to Spain.

• An adapter plug. If you are travelling from USA, Canada or Australia is better to bring an adapter with you to avoid any issues while charging your gadgets.

• Lightweight shoes. The weather during this time of the year is rather warm and we highly recommend to wear the  right shoes (comfy and light!). Trainers, sneakers or espadrilles are all good option.

• Sunscreen and a cap. At midday the sun is up and if you are walking around the city or outdoors in the countryside , you will appreciate to wear a cap. Sunscreen is a must to protect your skin!

• A jacket for the chilly evenings. Even though the days are warm, the temperature drops almost ten degrees Celsius at night time.

• Currency exchange. Nowadays credit cards are accepted mostly everywhere but but for paying small amounts of money some shops may ask you to pay with cash and you will need currency exchange.

• Passport Pouch. While travelling long distances we try to carry a lot of documents with us. A passport pouch is a great solution to have them all together and don´t forget anything.

• Jet lag relief.  When you are exploring a new country you just don’t want to miss a minute and keep fully awake and energetic to discover every hidden corner. The problem is Jet Lag, that ugly friend… With this amazing and miracle Jet lag relief, you will not miss a single thing.

• Deodorant wipes. These could be as useful as anything for the hot sweating days and walking tours

• Water bottle. This is a priority! A bottle with a filter will keep your fresh water in perfect quality conditions and you will also be helping the environment by not using plastic bottles.

15 Apr Top 11 Sevilla Hotels

Sevilla is, without any doubt, the best city to visit in April. You could experience all that  this quintessential city has to offer: orange blossoms, the most passionate Holy week, the popular fair and some other spring festivities. We would like to share with you our favourite hotels in Sevilla. Some of them are new to the city and we feel they will do great!  

Alfonso XIII: 5*GL 

This is THE Hotel in Seville. Commissioned by the king Alfonso XIII to play host to international dignitaries during the 1929 Exhibition, this luxury hotel remains an iconic cultural landmark, centrally located in the historic center, next to Reales Alcázares and Seville Cathedral. Following a significant renovation, completed in 2012, the hotel’s distinguished architecture and Moorish detailing have been enriched, showcasing native Andalusian design and heritage to a new generation of travelers. The hotel’s innovative décor, from the lobby to the inner courtyard, continues to reflect Sevillian style.

Casa 1800: 4* 

Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla is a mansion-palace from the 19th century, located in the historic center of Seville, only few meters away from the Giralda tower.

This house was built in 1864 following a traditional layout. Its studded solid wood doors allow entry to the palace with a horse-drawn carriage, from which when on-foot could then accesses a central courtyard from all rooms were distributed.

The history of the mansion-palaces of Seville date back to the early nineteenth century, the Golden Age of Seville, with great romantics, the heroes of legend, Don Juan Tenorio, Carmen la Cigarrera, Lord Byron, Bécquer…

Gravina 51: 4*

A hotel with soul. This property is one of our new discoveries in 2019, an early twentieth-century Sevillian palace, recently refurbished and providing all the home comforts to make your stay in Seville truly memorable.

It is located in the heart of the old town and a stone’s throw from all the major sights. The hotel has spacious rooms with a unique décor that fuses Andalusian tradition with modern-day minimalist styles.

Legado Alcázar: 4*

Another new discovery for Just Explore on our recent hotels inspection in the city oly two weeks ago. Despite its great location at only few meters from the Royal Alcazar, this small boutique hotel (only 18 rooms) is just off the beaten path from the tourists crowds, in a very quiet and peaceful corner.  Built upon important Moorish, late medieval and contemporary archeological remains, visitors will be taken aback by the beauty of the rehabilitated elements such as the wall that borders with the Alcázar, fountains, canalizations, pottery and floors from past centuries. Discover the delights of staying at luxury accommodation whilst reliving centuries of history in the heart of Seville.

La casa del Poeta: 4*

Sevilla has a great offer of small boutique properties and Casa del Poeta has always been one of our favourite since their opening. This luxurious boutique hotel (only 18 rooms) is a large 17th century house beautifully restored and carefully maintaining its original architecture and fine decorative features. A testament to former glories, it retains the traditional style of an authentic Sevillian mansion. This lodging is ideal for visitors seeking a peaceful stay with personalized attention, in a luxurious and unique environment.

Hospes Casas del Rey de Baeza: 4*

Luxury and style in the heart of Seville’s old town, this traditional Sevillian-architecture building used to be a local neighbours’ courtyard in the 18th century. Today, it is an ideal setting for guests to relax and dream. Inside, the contrasts are everywhere and emotions run wild. The colours and the aromas of the central courtyard evoke activity and energy. The stone, clay and chalk used in the building’s construction give it a touch of authenticity and a high architectural and historical value.

Palacio de Pinello: 4*

This is a great choice for a good location, comfort and luxury. This boutique hotel of 24 rooms is located right in central Seville’s Old town, just 200 m from the impressive Gothic Cathedral. Set in a 16th-century palace, Palacio Pinello’s rooms have terra cotta floors and high ceilings, some of which feature ornate woodwork. You will also find some interesting, centuries-old ruins in the building. There is a charming turret and a roof-top terrace where you can enjoy a drink and views of the Giralda.

Casas del Arenal: 4*

If you are searching for a more traditional look to experience the essence and the flavour of a typical Sevilla house, this is your hotel in Sevilla. Casas del Arenal is the fusion of two traditional 18th century homes linked through beautiful courtyards and galleries, creating a unique space of 27 rooms, where refurbishment works have resulted in the splendor of this Andalusian architecture.

Casas de la Judería: 4*

It is hard to describe as this hotel is not just a place to sleep or to rest while you are exploring the city, it is an experience itself in the heart of the Santa Cruz neighborhood (the old Jewish quarter). Another traditional option if you are searching for authentic and quaint accommodations at a good quality/price range.

This hotel is set within 27 traditional Sevillan houses, connected by passages and courtyards. All rooms at Las Casas de la Judería offer traditional décor and maintain the building’s original features. They have antique furniture, wooden floors and French windows. It offers a rooftop swimming pool, spa, traditional Andalusian patios and classic décor.

H10 Corregidor: 3*

For those travelers with a more limited budget and wanting to stay off the beaten path,  the H10 Corregidor is a charming Boutique Hotel located in Seville’s historic centre (between the Cathedral and the Alameda de Hércules). The hotel keeps the essence of Seville alive through its arabesque and Andalusian architecture. It offers very comfortable rooms, an Andalusian courtyard featuring a late 19th-century wrought-iron gate and original ceramic tiles from the 1929 Seville World’s Fair.

Casa Colon: 2*

This is one of our favourite B&B accommodation in Sevilla, at only 2 min walk from the Cathedral main entrance door. The hotel Casa de Colón is located in a historic manor house dating back to the 18th century. It is not a luxurious property but it keeps all the essence and soul of a traditional Sevilla house, beautifully restored and offering comfort and relax.

08 Apr Holy Week in Spain

Holy Week (locally known as Semana Santa), Easter is probably the most important celebration in Spain and stands out for its epic brotherhoods’ processions and an ancient traditions specific to each region. There are many different ways to experience Eater in Spain. We are sharing some traditions and customs with you so you know what to expect and attend if you ever take a trip to Spain this time of year.

The atmosphere that characterizes the festivities is usually solemn and quite spectacular.  Everything seems fully immersed in passion and emotion.

Andalusia Holy Week

Although each Spanish region has its own customs and practices, Semana Santa celebrations are nowhere else as elaborate and spectacular as they are in Andalusia. Here, this important Catholic holiday is commemorated with a week full of color, art, religious fervor, and extraordinary processions. The festivities start on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) and last until Easter Monday (Lunes de Pascua), with the most dramatic and passionate parades held on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

The most spectacular events take place in Malaga and Seville, where the streets are taken over by flamboyant parades (or pasos as we call it in Spain) displaying biblical scenes. A paso is an enormous float adorned with life-size wooden statues of biblical characters. In Seville, they are considered genuine artistic masterpieces, some of them dating back as far as the 16th century. Each movable float belongs to a brotherhood, or cofradia (there are over 50 in Seville), and has its own distinctive decoration, colours and identity. A common feature, however, is the team of costaleros who convey the pasos on their necks or shoulders through the crowded streets.

One of the highlights of the Holy Week in Seville is the night of Maundy Thursday, known as La Madrugá, commemorating the trial, the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

As gastronomy is also an important part of our culture, during Easter time we taste some of the most traditional sweets and cakes which are quite common all over Spain. Local restaurants and cake shops serve and sell these delicatessen:

• Buñuelos: Basically a fried doughnut or sweet fritters, made with simple ingredients such as water, milk, egg or yeast.
• like small doughnuts or sweet fritters
• Torrijas: Thick pieces of bread soaked in a mixture of milk and egg, then fried with olive oil and served with honey and sugar.
• Hornazo (the sweet version): typical from Salamanca and Ávila in Northern Spain. A round bread filled with with almonds, sugar and eggs.
• Pestiños : commonly made in Southern Spain by deep-frying a piece of dough – often flavoured with sesame – in olive oil and then glazing it with honey or sugar.
• Mona de Pascua: Especially popular in Catalonia and Valencia, this cake is topped with either boiled eggs, or chocolate ones, as well as colourful decorations.
•  Leche frita: square-shaped small tart made by cooking flour with milk and sugar until it becomes firm. It is then topped off with cinnamon and a sugar glaze

21 Mar Our March Favourites

Just Explore is not only a travel agency, it’s much more than that. We would to inspire you while you are travelling and would like to share our monthly favourites (places, dishes, wines, songs, movies…). Here is our first monthly favourites. Hope you like them all.

A MUST VISIT: Valle del Jerte

Valle del Jerte is a beautiful valleuy located in the region of Extremadura, where cherry trees grow. During Spring season, the valley is pretty amazing to visit because of the blooming cherry trees. A white landscape on a green grass carpet to walk through for hours…

A MUST DISH: Oxtail stew

This traditional Andalusian dish is supposedly inspired in Córdoba. Traditionally made after the bull fights, the dish spread throughout the rest of Spain. Each restaurant has its own special recipe, some using red wine, others opting for PX sweet wine or sherry.

Oxtail needs to be cooked slowly over a low heat because it is extremely bony, fatty, and tough. But once it cooks long enough, it becomes really tender and delicious.

A MUST WATCH: Marie Kondo on Netflix

We suppose that you job, family or other tasks keeps you very busy and with no time to tide things up and keep organize. We quite like Marie Kondo, a brand new series from Netflix. You can learn about her method to keep the harmony and order at home and to create relaxing and peaceful environments

A MUST SONG: Shallow

If there is a trendy song this 2019 it would be Shallow, from the film A star is born by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. The song has just won the last Oscars edition and has been performed by the two main characters of the film on the big night. If you haven’t listened to it yet, get ready to hear it everywhere from now on.

17 Mar How to Prepare Salmorejo

What happens if you mix tomatoes, bread, garlic and olive oil? The result is a very tasty dish called Salmorejo. Salmorejo is one of the most popular specialties in Southern Spain, (originally from Córdoba). The best way to try it would  be at a local bar in Andalucia  but if you can’t make it, we invite you to try at home with this very easy recipe:

So, get your blender ready and your pen and paper to take notes of the ingredients that you need to buy:

• 1 Kg of red sweet tomatoes
• 1 garlic clove
• 100 gr of Olive Oil
• A teaspoon of salt

• 150 gr of doughy bread

Yes! That’s all you need…

It is very common to use small pieces of sliced Iberian ham and boiled eggs as toppings to add some extra flavor to your Salmorejo so do not hesitate to add them just before serving it.

Once you have bought all the ingredients, you are ready to start. Keep calm, the recipe is very easy to cook and it will be delicious.

1. Wash the tomatoes and cut them in four pieces. Place the tomatoes in the blender and blend for two minutes (aprx) at a high speed until smooth.
2. Add the break (previously cut in small pieces) and the garlic and leave them soaking with the tomatoes just for few minutes before start blending the whole mixture.
3. Add the teaspoon of salt and keep blending until the mixture gets a smooth texture.
4. Add olive oil slowly and blend at a lower speed. Taste it and add few drops of white wine vinegar, more salt, bread or garlic according to your palate but the result should be a balanced tasty and creamy soup. The truth is that there is not a mathematical recipe. It is quite open to everyone’s palate
5. Finally, put it in the fridge to keep it cold
6. Serve it cold with or without the toppings mentioned above (small pieces of Iberian ham and boiled eggs) and enjoy it!

TIPS ON WHEN & HOW TO EAT IT

Spring and summer times are the ideal seasons! In the warm and hot weather is just so refreshing and healthy having a home made salmorejo as a starter or aperitif. It is the classical tapa to try at a local bar in Córdoba over lunch time!

We would like to challenge you and see your recipes. Please, send us your photos to info@just-explore.com and we will post them on Instagram.