Andalusia

Magic Andalusia
Andalusia is the southernmost of autonomous communities in Spain, and especially outstanding due to its multiplicity and brightness.

Andalusia has an area of approximately 87,000 sq. km and over 3,000 sunny hours in a year. It is bordered in the north by the mountains Sierra Morena and in the south by the Baetic Mountains, and crossed through its whole length by the powerful river Guadalquivir.

The magnificent architecture, much influenced by the Islam, the Renaissance and above all the Baroque, is represented by palaces, castles and monasteries, which turned all Andalusian provinces into examples of unique art and historical heritage. In Andalusia you will find famous paintings, sculptures, pieces of jewellery and archaeological findings, distributed in cathedrals and churches, palaces, monasteries and museums, and confirming the powerful artistic development of the region. You should not be surprised to find an important altar, a painting masterpiece, or an example of consummate goldsmith art even in a remotest village.

Numerous festivals celebrated in Andalusia are just as versatile and rich as its landscape. Andalusian festival calendar is a true encyclopaedia of the tradition and artistic expression of its cities and villages. At spring and harvest festivals, annual fairs, on every holiday in honour of a village Patron Saint, at wine picking festivals, as well as pilgrimages finest handicraft, cuisine, music and religious rituals are presented.

Places of interest
As a result of influence of different cultures, an enviable number of artistic and architectural treasures have remained in all Andalusian cities. Some representative examples are the Alhambra in Granada (Royal palace of the Nasrids), the Mezquita (mosque) and the Jewish quarter in Córdoba, the Reales Alcàzares in Seville, the Alcazaba (fortified castles in city centres) in Màlaga and Almeria, as well as monumental cities like Baeza or Córdoba.

Almost 65 golf courses, half of them located on the Costa del Sol, will certainly stir the blood of all golf lovers. Due to the mild climate, the quality of the grass is exceptional. On the coast of Almeria, you can dive into the depths of the Cabo de Gata, or try surfboarding, especially on the beaches of Tarifa. Top surfers from all around the world call this place their paradise because of fresh winds which blow almost incessantly in this part of the coast of Cadiz.

Nature reserves of Cazorla, Segura, Las Villas de Jaén, as well as Las Nieves in Málaga and Grazalema in Cadiz also offer exceptional spectacles of nature.

Text source: http://www.andaluz.ch
with friendly authorization
by Sandra Marin

In this small village on the border with the province of Malaga, you have an opportunity to practice all kinds of water sports. Nearby, there is the Cantarrijan beach (for nudists), located in the natural landscape of Cerro Gordo. The Marina del Este sports port, which is also ideal for all divers beginners, lies in the immediate proximity of three beaches: Berengueles, el Muerto (for nudists) and Cotobro.