Is hiking your thing? I have to admit it is not one of my favorite things to do but, when I was in Asturias last month I was inspired by the lush green vegetation and beautiful mountains. Once you are surrounded by nature you forget about the world and your beliefs and you are ready to set out on any venture (at least that is what happened to me).

There are dozens of different walking trails through mountains, and you don’t need to be a professional hiker to trek these, even kids can join in the fun. Check out Spanish trails web site , they have wonderful options with guided tours and everything you need to set off on your adventure.

This summer if you get bored of the beach do something different in Spain.

photo travelinginspain

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Like everything Spain its wine is one of its treasures and Madrid being the capital of this great country is making sure that their wine labels are not only up to date but have the utmost quality since they are a representation of the entire nation.

The Vinos de Madrid website has great information regarding their wine label packaging so that you know what each brand means. For example; Reserva Black Label are wines that have been aged for at least two calendar years, six months of which need to be in wooden casks for white, rose and red wines, while the Gran Reserva Black Label indicates wines that have been aged for 36 months, in which one year of that the red wine is stored in oak casks and 6 months for white wine.

There you have it, visit their website to learn all about the different styles of wines and where to get them while in Spain.

more information vinosdemadrid

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When I read resort & Spa ,that is all I need to get excited about summer vacations. Taking a look at hotel options I found what looks to be a very exclusive and luxurious five hotel situated in Girona. It is called Alva Park and Resort and it looks amazing and luxurious.

All the rooms are beautifully decorated with a touch of Egyptian elements, a plasma TV, DVE, and of course a Jacuzzi. This resort situated 50 meters from the beautiful beaches of Girona seems like a luscious getaway in north of Spain.

source embelezzia

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I´m always in search for the perfect magical book that will help my husband finally learn the Spanish language or at least understand a little of what people around him are taking about. Learning Spanish is not only learning proper grammar and vocabulary, there are certain slang phrases that you can´t learn from a school book.

I found this great book called in the garlic (en el ajo) a slang saying that means being “in” Knowing the inside of things, being part of it. It has all the slang terminology you need to become a proper Spaniard and start be able to “estar en el ajo”

more information inthegarlic

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One of my favorite summer recepies is Gazpacho. Not only is it refreshing it is good for you. See if you can whip up a batch yourself.

You will need:

• 4 or 5 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1 serrano pepper, minced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lemon cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 ripe but slightly firm avocado, peeled and diced
• 4 cups light beef stock or chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons medium-acid red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsely
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• kosher salt and black pepper in a mill
• 1/2 cup best-quality extra-virgin olive oil

Combine all of the vegetables in a large bowl. Add the stock, lemon juice and vinegar and stir very briefly. Stir in the fresh herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill the soup for at least one hour before serving. Remove from the refrigerator, stir, let rest for 15 minutes and then pour the olive oil over the soup and serve.

Serves 4—6

recipe at globalgourmet

picture of gazpacho and tomato

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When you go to a new city for the first time where do you start? Do you have a plan of where you want to go, what places you want to visit or do you play it by ear? I need to plan ahead and know where I´m going, I like to have everything mapped out and ready to go, call me a freak but I need control.

So, if you are planning a trip to lets just say Barcelona you will need a list of the must see places and start there. This city is full of wonder and new architecture thanks to Antoni Gaudí who has left his mark in this marvelous place. To start of you should go see la Sagrada Familia, one of the most visited places in Spain, The Casa Batlló, a very colorful apartment building that needs to be seen. You can visit wesites such as ihes that has a great list of the best places to go and the official website of Barcelona for more information.

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Ok, so I´m on a roll this week talking about the upcoming summer. You can tell I have had enough of the cold unreliable weather and need to relax in the sun and enjoy the warmth of this season. In Spain the change of seasons also brings a change of types of drinks we like to drink.

In the winter months a nice glass of red wine is preferred but in summer time this is cooled down by adding a drink to the red wine called gaseosa (almost like bubbly water), making it a refreshing great tasting drink. Gaseosa is also added to beer a drink they call “clara”, again giving beer a lighter touch. Another favorite summer drink is of course sangria.

The Spaniards love to be outside and enjoy the great weather and with a cool drink at hand what else do you really need.

more information enforex

photo google photos

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Summer is so near now, I could smell the suntan lotion and the fresh salt air in the sky. The perfect time to come to Spain and bask in the sun. A week a go I wrote a post about buying a home in Spain but for those of you who are not quite ready to make the move but want to enjoy a great summer in Spain, don´t think about it any longer and start booking today.

You can stay in a hotel but another way to stay in Spain is renting a villa, where you are your family could have the privacy of your own home and not have any schedules to keep. These villas are beautiful and come fully equipped to cater to your every whim.

Before the sun rises and begins to give its first summer rays, pick up the phone and start booking your trip today.

more information holidaylettings

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Avila is the city where one of my grandfathers was born and I treasure it like it was my own. I love to go there and see the murals of so long a go, there is so much history here. 1,117 meters above sea level, it is the highest capital of Spain. The city is surrounded by ancient city walls that still hold the test of time. A quiet town, not too many people add to their atenirany but should.

If you decide to visit this city in the end of June, you will be able to enjoy the “Avila en Tapas” celebration which will be held from the 28 th of June through the 1st of July with the colaboration of 41 restaurants that will show off their best miniture tapas. I´m hungry already!!

via directoalpaladar

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2 or 3 potatoes

Oil to fry

3 medium full-grown tomatoes

1 tsp. of spicy ground red pepper

Vinegar

1 tsp. of flour

Salt

Peel the potatoes and cut them into small pieces, then fry, on a low heat.

Once cooked, drain the potatoes.

Make the tomato sauce: Add a spoon of oil to the pan and then fry the deseeded and peeled tomatoes, smashing it. When cooked, add a few drops of vinegar, a teaspoon of flour and another teaspoon of spicy ground pepper and stir well to mix everything. Season and pour over the potatoes.

via arrakis

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