Travel California: Certainly The Golden State
California is a giant-sized wonderland of preserved wilderness, world-class cities, famous beaches, tantalizing cuisine and unparalleled wines. Be close to the action from any destination in California, whether it is Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego or Bakersfield! Travel within California is fantastically scenic and simple; with the largest network of state highways that bring all of the Golden State’s wonders to your car door, you can surf, ski and enjoy fine dining all in one day… but you might want to make it two or ten!
A California for Every Kind
California is the third largest state in the United States, as well as the most populous state in the country. Consequently, California attracts visitors for all kinds of reasons. National Parks such as Joshua Tree in the expansive Mojave Desert, Pinnacles National Monument in the Central Coast, and Ansel Adam’s famously photographed Yosemite are rocky havens for rock climbers and hikers alike. The Sierra Nevada mountain range to the east boasts California’s premier ski resorts, including Mammoth Mountain and Lake Tahoe.
North of the easy-going Sacramento capital lies California’s world-class wine region. Enjoy a trip through Napa Valley for some of the most exquisite restaurants and wine tastings the country has to offer. Lose yourself in quaint luxury at a Bed & Breakfast along the Carmel coast after spending a day at the Hearst Castle. Get star struck during a visit to Hollywood or wonder-struck at Southern California’s Disneyland Resort and California Adventure theme parks, across the street from each other. Don’t forget to explore California’s coastline with a trip to the historic Channel Islands or a whale watching expedition off of San Francisco’s Pacific shores.
The Platinum State
When you book your airfare to California, you will soon discover why this massive and diverse region along the Pacific Ocean is more precious than gold. The 48 state’s tallest peak resides in the Sierra Nevada region of California. Mt. Whitney welcomes thousands of climbers and hikers each year to its 14,505 feet of serene wilderness. Giant Sequoias, the largest living organism in the world, reside in Sequoia National Park and the tallest organisms on Earth, the California Redwood trees, grace the shores of California’s rugged northern coastline. California’s Death Valley is the largest National Park in the country as well as the hottest place on earth (in the summer) and the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. Treat yourself to Death Valley’s spectacular wildflower bloom in March and April.
California also offers one of the most superb collections of luxury resorts, celebrity chefs and nightlife. It is not surprising, considering the state is home to America’s entertainment, music and tech industries as well as one of the largest economies and ports in the world. Don’t wait another minute to book your airfare to California; you could be tanning on the beach or summiting a mountain tomorrow!
Andalucia – Gateway to the Americas
April 12, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
Andalusia is well known as being the most populated autonomous community (and the second largest of the 17 communities) that constitutes Spain and is bordered as follows:
North: by Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha
East: by Murcia and the Mediterranean Sea
West: by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean.
South: The British colony of Gibraltar (which shares its ¾ mile land border with the province of Cádiz).
Its varied landscapes, friendly character of inhabitants and climate stability (3000 hours of sun per year) all add to this being one of Spain’s most visited and attractive regions and Spanish institutions such as Flamenco, bullfighting and myths like Don Juan and Carmen all originated here.
The fine, sandy coastlines of beaches characterize the provinces of Huelva and Cadiz, which face the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean coast, from the Strait of Gibraltar to Almeria, has a smoother climate with higher water temperatures and less wind
From the golden sands of the beaches to the beautiful mountain ranges, and the famous “white villages”, visitors to the region are spoiled for choice. Sports lovers will love this area as anything from skiing in the Sierra Nevada to surfing Cadiz’s coast, can be found easily.
The Spanish, which is spoken in the Americas, is largely descended from the Andalusian dialect of Spanish, due to Seville playing the role as gateway to Spain’s American territories in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Major Attractions in Andalucia
Seville
This is the third largest city of Spain, and is one of the best loved and most visited places by tourists, thanks to its unique character and its great monuments. City landmarks such as the Arabian bell tower Giralda, the cathedral, Torre del Oro and the old district of Barrio Santa Cruz are just some of the sights worthy of a mention.
Granada
Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, this city is a must-see place. The great Arabian palace Alhambra is also well worth a visit.
Cordoba
The centre of Moorish Spain for hundreds of years, Cordoba has many monuments that are of outstanding importance. The Mezquita is possibly the most impressive of them all and is a ‘must see’ if you visit this region.
Malaga
Pablo Picasso, the well-known painter and sculptor was born in Malaga. Major tourist attractions here are the Alcazaba and the fantastic Mediterranean coastline with its long sandy beaches.
Costa del Sol
Along the coast of Malaga, you can find some of Spain’s most striking beaches. Marbella, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, San Pedro de Alcantara and Torremolinos are among the most well known.
Ronda
Ronda is one of the most incredible and lovely towns in Spain, situated in the middle of the fantastic mountain range Serranía de Ronda, at the edge of a 120 metre canyon.
Almeria
Of all the Andalusian cities that have preserved their Moorish traditions, Almeria has probably done it the best. Whitewashed properties abound giving the area that romantic Spanish ‘feel’. Great tourist attractions can also be found all along the Costa de Almeria.
Cadiz
Cadiz claims to be one of the oldest cities in Spain and promotes its typical Andalusian ambience with whitewashed houses and tropical vegetation. The Carnival of Cadiz is a unique Spanish fiesta, which is well worth experiencing, as its all about fun and entertainment.
Huelva
The town is known for its industry but it is also a fishing port of great importance. Christopher Columbus started his travels to America from the nearby Palos de la Frontera. Visitors to the monastery where he prepared for his travels are also treated to a reconstruction of the port and the three famous ships.
Doñana National Park
This widespread preserve is located next to the outlet of Guadalquivir River, and includes beach areas with moving dunes along with marshy regions of great value – as far as their fauna is concerned. Migrant birds, on their way to Africa, stay here during their breeding phase.
Costa de la Luz
The “Coast of the Light” offers marvellous beaches of fine sand and is the area of Spain that lies in the provinces of Huelva and Cadiz facing the Atlantic Ocean. There are many tourist attractions in this region with a few of the more famous being Punta Umbria, Islantilla, Isla Cristina and Mazagon.
Jerez de la Frontera
The hometown of the now famous Sherry wine, Jerez can also make another claim to fame, as it is the site of a prominent Spanish equestrian school.
Jaen
Located inland, a medieval fortress dominates Jaen, which also has the 11th century Moorish baths and the Renaissance cathedral to claim as tourist attractions. The nearby nature reserve, Sierra de Cazorla is fabulous and should be visited if in the area.
Andalusian Cuisine
Gazpacho (fried fish), the jamones of Jabugo and Trevélez and the wines of Jerez, particularly sherry all characterise the cuisine of Andalucia.
Fried Foods
Andalusian fried cuisine uses a type of olive oil from the provinces of Jaén, Córdoba, Seville and Granada. The food is covered in flour ‘a la andaluza’ (which means just flour – no other ingredients) and then fried in large quantities of hot olive oil.
Fish and Shellfish
As Andalucia has five coastal provinces, high consumption of fish and shellfish is to be expected: White shrimp from the Bay of Cádiz; prawns; murex; anchovies; baby squid; cuttlefish, flounder, etc. are among the regions favourites.
Deserts
Medieval Andalusian cuisine heavily influences deserts of this region of Spain. A few of the dishes worthy of mentioning include pestiños, alfajores, amarguillos, lard bread, wine doughnuts, churro and torrijas although there are many, many more.
Music of Andalusia
Andalusia is probably best known for the fantastic flamenco style of music and dance that is mainly performed by Gypsy people in Spain but is now popular throughout the world.
A single singer performs Cante Hondo, which are improvised flamenco songs of ancient Andalusian origin. They are recognized for their reduced tonal ambiance, lack of rhythm and repetition of notes.
All in all Andalucia has something for everyone and a visit to Spain would be incomplete without visiting ‘real Spain’, the birthplace of the Spanish Americas.
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