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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 1
The New York Times has a good run down on Bilbao
Andalucid is Chumbo hunting!
Abadia Retuerta (from our winery podcast) wants you to win their salt!
Mojacar-based Lenox writes at the Spanish Shilling: “There are, broadly speaking, three different types of Britons coming to Spain – if you consider this part of the Iberian peninsular as being
posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 27
A garment which combines different styles gives a different image of the person who wears it. For this reason, today?s fashion tries to avoid standard patterns and uses an endless range of variances, allowing each person to develop their own look from trends, materials, shapes and colours. Mix and match between trends from distinct backgrounds is the order of the day. Innovative designs are appearing together with more traditional cuts such as that of the most classic of materials, tweed, which has returned as one of the leading highlights of the season.
posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 27
One of the main tasks carried out by this public institution focuses on offering the Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language (Diploma de Espa?ol como Lengua Extranjera). The DELE is the official qualification recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Education certifying students? knowledge of Spanish as a foreign language.
There are three levels:
The Beginner level: certifies a basic knowledge of Spanish to speak correctly on everyday life.
The Intermediate level: certifies an ability to speak fluently and to solve everyday situations in Spanish.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 27
Today there are new ways of travelling, discovering places, people and carrying out activities in a very individual way.An example of a company dedicated to these types of services is ?The World of the Single?, which programmes, organises and arranges leisure activities, trips, parties and specific events for groups of single people between 30 and 45 ? single, separated and divorced. They have collaboration agreements with different suppliers, with the aim of offering these groups of people the best and most amusing leisure and free time offers.
posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 27
In the province of Valladolid , just ten minutes from the capital, we can find Aldamayor Golf, a complex which was opened just a year ago. Its installations are brand new and of the highest quality. This golf course has 9 holes Par 27, designed for expert players and for those who are beginning this kind of sport. The training golf course has a total length of 400 metres, with 50 posts distributed in two positions, of which 14 are covered. A putting green with bunkers complete the area set aside for training. The complex also offers a beautiful natural environment and is close to the Castilian capital, which is well worth a visit. This complex meets all your sports and tourist needs.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 20
Marina just left a long comment on our recent article about Spanish women and their inherent ‘feistiness’, known here as car?cter. I think it is a valuable contribution, and worth posting here:
“Of course there are plenty of Spanish women who are not fiesty, but funnily enough, if I look at a lot of our foreign friends that have a Spanish girlfriend/wife, without exception they are all strong and full of Spanish character
posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 20
Tree house seen in Sierra - hope kid never takes up architecture
click to enlarge
We just got back to the capital after spending 10 days in the Sierra to the north of the city. We got a lot of work done, saw almost no-one, and breathed a lot of fresh air. It was wonderful. As we drove into Madrid Marina asked me how it felt to be back. Not too bad. She dropped me off at the door to our building with all our bags, and then headed off to park in the underground car park around the corner. When she finally got upstairs she looked distinctly unhappy to be back in Madrid.
posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 20
The greenways programme offers a unique way to get to know Spain. The project involves the rejuvenation of old rail lines in order to convert them into paths for walking, cycling and horseriding. The main aim is to promote a new culture of open air leisure and sport, which at the same time respects the environment and finds new ways of exploiting disused facilities.
The birth of the greenways programme
The programme began in 1993, springing from an initiative involving the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Environment, the state rail company RENFE, the narrow gauge rail operator FEVE and the Spanish Railways Foundation.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 20
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, the Garajonay National Park is an outstanding spot. Over 3,900 hectares have really witnessed the past: these house old living fossils which are thousands years old. You can also venture into one of the many paths of the island and discover its beauty through a trip (forests, valleys covered with palm trees and magical beaches).
During your stay in La Gomera, you have the chance to visit the municipalities of the island (Agulo, Alajer?, Hermigua, Valle Gran Rey, Vallehermoso and San Sebasti?n) and other places of interest to soak yourself in the local historical and environmental heritage.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Sep 20
The thin sanded beaches of Roquetas stretch out along 16 km, indifferent to the traces left behind in history by the ancient Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans or by the eight centuries of Arabian rule. All of them are part of the collective memory of this old town, although its most outstanding architectonic jewel, the Castle of Santa Ana, dates from the 17th century.
Perhaps there is no better way to get the taste of local history than by becoming familiar with the local gastronomy. In this respect, Roquetas de Mar also honours the second part of its name: the taste of its dishes is the taste of the sea. Different kinds of fish and shellfish, wisely mixed, acquire a new and spicy dimension when a zarzuela (seafood fish casserole) is cooked. The vegetables from the area are also of excellent quality ?in fact we are talking about an area referred to as Huerta de Europa (the Orchard of Europe). But above all, if you want to take part in the locals? and visitors? favourite hobby, tour the bars when the sun is at its highest and try the great variety of hot or cold tapas that are served with small glasses of wine or beer. If these culinary expeditions last longer than expected ?which happens quite often? your body will demand to skip the main meal and go straight to take the nap that the Spanish call siesta.
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