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General Observations from the Sierras
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Saturday, 27 June 2009 00:00 |
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The new visitors centre has recently opened in the village of Grazalema. The 'Centro de Interpretación Turístico' can be found on the main car park, near to the viewpoint. It is open from Thursday to Sunday 10.00 until 14.00 (closing for lunch) and 17.00 until 19.00.
The "Colours of Grazalema" photographic exhibition is displayed on the ground floor and entry is free to see almost 100 colourful images of the wildlife of the area. This exhibition is a small selection of the images recorded by Clive and Sue who live near to Grazalema.
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Local Religious Events
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Tuesday, 09 June 2009 00:00 |
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SUNDAY 14th JUNE
Corpus Christi is a celebration of the Eucharist sacrament in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed as the body of Christ.
Here in the Sierra de Grazalema area the Corpus Christi festivals are very popular with high attendance from locals and visitors coming from further afield. The processional carts (representing chariots) and the surrounding buildings are elaborately adorned with foliage and flowers which is a sight well worth seeing. The date for 2009 at Zahara de la Sierra is Sunday the 14th of June and hotel Al-Lago is offering a 10 percent discount on published room prices for Grazalema Guide readers. Just mention the Grazalema Guide when you enquire at the Al-lago website.
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Activity Holidays
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Wednesday, 27 May 2009 14:05 |
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Ladies, fancy a weekend of over indulgence, retail therapy and pampering? If so, read on. Treat yourselves and/or a friend to a weekend of retail therapy, culture, traditional Spanish cuisine, leisurely cycling, and spa therapy. Based deep in the heart of the Andalucian countryside, in a traditional Spanish 'Cortijo' farmhouse, you'll be a world away from the hussle and bussle of daily life. This is your opportunity to relax and unwind whilst enjoying traditional Spanish cuisine and culture, the stunning scenery of the Grazalema Natural Park and the warm hospitality of the local people.
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Events, Ferias and Fiestas
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Sunday, 24 May 2009 00:00 |
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Grazalema's first celebration of the summer was held on the 24th May 2009 with the "Romeria de San Isidro". Hailing the arrival of summer and involving a lively procession of virtually the entire village down to a pasture in the ribera valley for a big picnic (KM 4 on the Grazalema-Montecorto road). In the usual way of Spanish festivities there are copious amounts of food and drink and lots of loud music. The procession gathers at 8 am for prayers at the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación and proceeds down and out of the village to La Ribera. The picnic party goes on all day and then for as long as anyone has the energy to keep going. Read more for a bit of background on Saint Isidore the Laborer and some pictures of the 2009 Romeria....
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Natural Parks
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Sunday, 17 May 2009 00:00 |
 'El Chorro' is an impressive gorge formed by river erosion through the limestone mountain. In Castilian it is called El Desfiladero de los Gaitanes and this natural attraction rightly draws many visitors with its towering cliffs at around 200m high while only 10m wide at some points. The river below has been dammed, the Embalse Gaitanejo is one of the smaller reservoirs of five in this area. Alongside this reservoir sits the small village of El Chorro, built in the shadow of the mountain around the railway station. The area is probably most famous for ‘el Caminito del Rey’ or the ‘King’s Way’ which is a built, narrow path that clings to the cliffs 100m above the river, unfortunately it now hangs in ruins.
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Towns and Villages
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Saturday, 16 May 2009 00:00 |
 Grazalema is a traditional white village (pueblo blanco) located in the north-eastern area of Cadiz province. It nestles amongst the beautiful mountains of the Sierra de Grazalema and has a local population of around 2000 people inhabiting the village and surrounding countryside. Set in a protected area popular for nature and outdoor enthusiasts the village itself is on the list of obligatory visits on the route of the white villages of Andalucia.
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Plants
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Wednesday, 13 May 2009 00:00 |
 May is a fabulous time to walk, cycle or drive through these mountains as roadside verges, pastures and scrubland turn glorious colours with a varied selection of wild flowers. The springtime rains have ensured a vivid display and many plants compete for space in a hurry to flower and set their seeds before the ground dries out during the summer months. Hillsides can turn yellow with shrubby Retama, whereas the many meadows are a tapestry of pastel shades brimming with annuals.
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Events, Ferias and Fiestas
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 15:02 |
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Gaucin is an Andalucian, white village in the Ronda mountains, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Riff mountains of Africa. The spectacular views and breathtaking landscape have attracted a wide variety of artists, with local, national and international reputations. The Art Gaucin 2009 Open Studios are taking place on the 23-24 May and 30-31 May 11 am to 7 pm. 16 Artists-- Painters, Sculptors, Printmakers, Photographers and Ceramic Artists-- invite you to visit their studios.
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General Nature
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Monday, 11 May 2009 14:59 |
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Teresa Farino's latest publication comes as a great surprise.... With many beautiful photographs supplied by Carlos Sanchez this book is a must for any visitor or resident with an interest in the wildlife and geography of Spain....I must admit I was expecting a kind of pocket or travel companion guide but at 24cm X 31cm this is more of a coffee table edition. That said if you are travelling to Spain and have the space... Take it....Well done Teresa, absolutely brilliant! Click the read more for more information and a link to buy the book!
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General Observations from the Sierras
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Monday, 11 May 2009 13:21 |
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Dragonflies and damselflies are extremely beautiful insects which capture the very essence of summer as they perform their intricate aerobatics around the gleaming backdrop of rivers and pools on hot sunny days. They are reasonably easy to observe and are also important indicators of the health of our wetlands, being top insect predators both as airborne adults & aquatic larvae. For those with an interest in photographing these insect jewels, August is definately the best month and the Grazalema area itself is stunning at this time of year. Many people avoid the area due to the intense heat of the summer (which may be hovering around the high 30's and low 40's) so you'll have the countryside pretty much to yourself. The scent of hot pine resin, gum cistus and the baked appearance of the area is quite different from the spring wild flower season just a few months earlier and is an experience in itself.
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Where to Eat
Molino Del Puente, Ronda
Beautifully set around an open central fireplace and featuring much of the original mill machinery. In the summer months there is also dining on the riverside terrace.International menu using only the finest of fresh local produce and seafood.
Restaurant Al Lago, Zahara de la Sierra
A stunning setting with lake views from the terrace in which to enjoy a leisurely lunch, dinner or innovative tapas. Chef Stefan Crites, who trained in New York for many years, re-interprets some of Spain’s culinary classics with a creative and exotic touch using local organic vegetables, top quality meat and fresh fish from the markets in Cadiz.
Hotels in the Area
Hotel Molino Del Puente, Ronda
Beautifully renovated 17th century olive mill converted into a small and friendly country hotel.
Set in beautiful countryside just 5 minutes from the historic town of Ronda in the heart of rural Andalucia.
Cortijo de las Piletas
A country hotel located in the heart of Andalucia. Only 12km. from the picturesque town of Ronda, in the Natural Park of Grazalema, the Cortijo allows visitors to explore a great variety of natural environments, both on the property grounds as well as the surrounding areas.
El Gastor village lodgings
Friendly, relaxed, family run B&B in the beautiful white village (pueblo blanco) of El Gastor in the heart of rural Andalucia, southern Spain. We also have available a fully renovated rustic village house and a separate studio apartment for those who prefer self-catering.
Cortijo Valverde
Beautiful hotel with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside providing that special vacation destination for either a restful holiday, or a base from which to explore the many treasures that Andalucia and Inland Spain has to offer.
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