Wildside Holidays is an innovative web site promoting nature, environment and activity holiday companies in Iberia (Spain and Portugal). If you are looking for a relaxing nature holiday and enjoy bird watching, botany or photography or are more active and prefer climbing, hiking, skiing or mountain biking, Wildside Holidays is the place to look
El-Andaluz House Rentals and Sales
Self catering Watermill and village houses in the white village of Grazalema, at the heart of the Parque Natural "Sierra de Grazalema". Stunning country side. Selected houses also for sale
The top 5 essential books in our house that spend more time off the bookshelf than on it are all wildlife identification guides Although a lot of research can be done on the internet it is always a pleasure to identify and learn more about a plant or animal from a real book. In Andalucia, and for us, the priority research subjects are Plants, insects in general, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Here is my top 5 essential field guide list with direct links for you to buy them from the safe and secure Amazon.co.uk website.
Mediterranean Wild Flowers By Marjorie Blamey and Christopher Grey Wilson
This guide describes and illustrates wild flowers in the Mediterranean islands and all coastal regions from sea-level up to 1000 metres - from Portugal and Spain eastwards to the Lebanon and back to Morocco. It also covers principle flowering or fruit trees, grasses and ferns.
Although at 85 UK pounds this book may seem a bit on the expensive side it is well worth the price and anyone with an interest in Mediterranean plants should have a copy. It is illustrated beautifully with in depth descriptions suitable for the professional botanist and amateur alike.
Although the book covers a very large geographical area, coverage of Spain and in particular Andalucia is excellent. The plant list is increased greatly by the use of in depth descriptions of species that are not illustrated.
The Collins field guide to butterflies of Britain and Europe By Tom Tolman and Richard Lewington
A comprehensive field guide to all the butterfly species of Britain and Europe, illustrated with over 2,000 paintings by the leading artist in the field, Richard Lewington.
This comprehensive guide to the butterflies of the whole of Europe and North Africa describes and illustrates all 440 species. There are paintings of the male, female, and, where appropriate, all major forms.
Distribution maps accompany every widespread species and all the information for the book has been researched from original sources. The text covers all taxonomic nomenclature, distribution, flight period, variation, habitat, behaviour, life cycle, food plants and conservation.
An ideal field guide for travelling naturalists and the perfect reference for those wanting to discover more about butterflies themselves.
The Collins Guide to Insects of Britain and Western Europe By Michael Chinery
For insect identification this is one of the best books available. Information is well laid out, informative and at under 10 UK pounds is excellent value for money.
It is the most extensively illustrated guide to European insects yet published and the species illustrations are drawn from those most likely to be noticed from their frequency, size, colours, habits or association with man.
The introduction outlines insect anatomy, life cycles and a glossary explains all the technical terms which makes understanding a lot easy for the beginner.
The text compliments the illustrations, stressing points important for identification, aspects of behaviour, food or habitat and time of appearance
Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe By E. Nicholas Arnold and Denys W Ovenden
This is the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and best-illustrated guide to the reptiles and amphibians of Europe.
Never has such a volume covered nearly as many species or as broad a geographical area. All 198 known species, including some that were recently discovered or distinguished, are described through 330 superb illustrations on 49 color plates and thoroughly informative text.
In these pages you will find every salamander, newt, tree frog, toad, tortoise, turtle, terrapin, gecko, agama, lizard, chameleon, slow worm, skink, amphisbaenian, and snake to be found in Europe.
The text describes in detail all species and distinct subspecies, with notes on range, size, color and markings, diagnostic characteristics, habits, behavior and, in the case of venomous snakes, their poison.
The Collins Bird Guide to the birds of britain and Europe By Killian Mullarney, Lars Svensson, Dan Zetterström and Peter J Grant
For bird watching and identification this is one of the world's best fieldguides - every birdwatcher or anyone remotely interested in birds should own a copy.
This book provides all the information needed to identify any species at any time of the year, with detailed text on size, habitat, range, identification and voice. Accompanying every species entry is a distribution map and illustrations showing the species in all the major plumages (male, female, immature, in flight, at rest and feeding).
This is the best field guide I have ever owned. Beautiful illustrations and informative text are positioned on facing pages which helps research greatly. It is comprehensive and also features many 'common' vagrants as well.
Whether you are a serious European based birder or wildlife enthusiast then quite simply you need this book.
You can buy all of the above books directly from the secure and safe Amazon.co.uk website. Just click the book image.
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.
Hotel Fuerte Grazalema
Situated in the heart of the sierra de Grazalema natural park, Hotel Fuerte Grazalema is a paradise for outdoor walking enthusiasts and is set in oak woodlands 5 kilometres from the village of Grazalema. It makes an excellent base from which to discover this stunning part of western Andalucia
Villa Turistica Grazalema
This hotel is located 500 metres from the charming village of Grazalema, a place characterised by its whitewashed façades, its narrow and windy streets and set in the centre of the natural park
Las Truchas
Las Truchas is a small hotel with a home from home atmosphere, located in the quaint town of El Bosque. Explore the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and the White Towns Route (Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos) that are situated within easy reaching distance of this hotel. You can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding landscape from the hotel rooms.
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.
Books 
The top 5 essential books in our house that spend more time off the bookshelf than on it are all wildlife identification guides Although a lot of research can be done on the internet it is always a pleasure to identify and learn more about a plant or animal from a real book. In Andalucia, and for us, the priority research subjects are Plants, insects in general, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Here is my top 5 essential field guide list with direct links for you to buy them from the safe and secure Amazon.co.uk website.