Month: January 2023

Wild Mushrooms in Spain – Walking in the Spanish Countryside

The things you see when out walking in the Spanish countryside

Wild Mushrooms

I’m no expert when it comes to flora and fauna. I am definitely not a Mycologist! (A mycologist is someone who works with fungi, which are living organisms such as molds, yeast, and mushrooms.). For this reason, my daily walk in the Andalucia countryside came up with a couple of surprises.

I live north of Nerja, about 1 hour and 10 minutes by road, just behind the Sierra Gorda mountains. The town of Villanueva del Trabuco is about 4 km away and the nearest big town is Archidona. Antequera is about 20 minutes drive away.

The barrio or area I live in is a group of four houses, surrounded by wheat fields and olive groves; lots of olive groves.

So, as you can imagine, going for a walk in the country is very easy for me.

The Weather has taken a turn for the worse

 

There are a couple of storms battering Europe at the minute, they are causing havoc in some places. Here, in my own area of the Malaga province, we are getting a mixed bag of rain, snow, sunshine and very cold temperatures.

The mountain behind me, Sierra de Gibalto, has a light dusting of snow while the lower grounds are wet with rain. There is also an icy wind to contend with. Nonetheless; a walk in the campo it is.

Wild Mushrooms

On the homeward leg of my daily dander in the campo, I came across an object that looked both wild and weird. At first, I thought it might be a light bulb or a part of a motorcar. Grey in colour and round and shiny, I had to have a closer look.

On closer inspection, this odd-looking, slimy dome, turned out to be some kind of mushroom. It looked as odd from close-up as it did from afar. Needless to say, I left it, unmolested, as it looked anything other than tasty.

A little further on, I spotted another “thing” growing in the wet grass. This looked more like a mushroom but, as with its friend, I wouldn’t risk frying it with a couple of eggs.

I’ve looked on the Internet to see what variety of mushroom or toadstool they are but, so far, I’ve not come up with any names. If you think you know what they are, please leave a message in the comments section of this post.

If you are staying in Nerja, take the chance of visiting the countryside, there are delightful walks, great scenery and lots of beautiful flora and fauna.

Weather Warnings for Spain This Week – 40 Provinces Warned

Storms Gerard and Fien are set to bring widespread rain, snow and strong winds to Spain this week

Weather Warnings for Forty Provinces

Malaga and 39 other Spanish provinces already have yellow or amber alerts in place for bad weather today. According to an article in the Sur in English, we are due to have some horrible weather. Wind, rain and snow!

Isabel Mendez

A new winter storm, Gerard, has arrived in Spain and its passage will be strongly felt throughout the country from today (16 January). As a result, the national Met Office, Aemet, has activated weather alerts in no less than 40 provinces.

This list includes Malaga, which will have a yellow level warning for coastal phenomena in effect from eight in the morning until 11.59 pm in the Axarquía and Costa del Sol areas. During that time, winds of 50 to 60 km/h are forecast and waves are four metres high in coastal areas. In the city, the thermometers will register a slight decrease compared to the last few days and will move between the 9 degrees that are expected as a minimum and a maximum of 18 degrees, while the skies will remain clear although with some cloudy intervals.

Weather Warnings – And there’s more!

In addition, on the coast of Granada, there will be an amber warning from 8 am to 11.59 pm, with force eight westerly winds and four-metre high waves. This same area will be under a yellow warning due to winds with maximum gusts of 70 kilometres per hour from 12 noon to midnight. In Andalucía there will be clouds moving from north to south until the skies are partially or totally covered.

Weak and scattered rain is not ruled out on the Atlantic slope, being more likely in the Baetic mountains and at nightfall, where snow could fall above about 1,500-1,700 metres. The temperatures will drop, with weak frosts in the interior. The winds will blow from the west, with strong gusts along the Mediterranean coast and eastern highlands. See more of this article.

Wrap up warm then. While you are avoiding the bad weather, check out Nerja Beach Holidays accommodation.

Marbella Costa del Sol – Dramatic Fire in Marbella’s Bajadilla Port

The fire has affected the Marina; the Marbella warehouse containing boats and nautical sports equipment goes up in flames

News of the dramatic fire in Marbella

What a start to the new year. We are almost two weeks into 2023 and the drama keeps coming. Yet again, we are informed by the Sur in English, a periodical free newspaper for the south of Spain.

The Story so far from JOAQUINA DUEÑAS / ISABEL MÉNDEZ

Alarm spread through La Bajadilla harbour in Marbella this Wednesday evening after a fire broke out in the premises of Marina Marbella.

The affected warehouses contained boats and nautical sports equipment and SUR has learned that around 80 boats have been destroyed in the fire.

The dramatic blaze, whose cause is not yet known, caused great concern, especially as the back of the building houses a recycling point with flammable substances.

The firefighters tackling the blaze concentrated on containing the fire as soon as possible and preventing it from spreading to boats moored nearby.

By around 9 pm, the fire was considered contained in the area where it broke out. As well as members of the fire brigade, also at the scene were health professionals from the Protección Civil organisation, Local and National Police officers as well as volunteers. You can read the full article here along with lots more news items and many other stories on varied topics.

Bajadilla Port, Marbella

Marbella’s fishing port, La Bajadilla, was planned to be transformed into a new sleek, high-tech marina, aiming squarely at the very top end of the market. It will considerably expand the capacity of the existing port, allowing more, and larger, luxury cruise liners, as well as private yachts, to dock at the glamorous seaside town, the favourite of celebs the world over. From Andalucia.com 

Nerja Caves are Marking 64th Anniversary of Caves Discovery

Nerja Visitors are returning to the Nerja Caves in Pre-Covid numbers

Nerja Caves are celebrating 64 years since the first discovery

Thanks again to our favourite newspaper, the Sur in English, have a great story regarding the caves in Nerja. An article by Eugenio Cabezas for the periodical for the south of Spain tells the great news that tourists and other visitors to Nerja are back in force. According to Eugenio, the numbers are equal to the pre-Covid era.

The Nerja Cave foundation has reported that visitor numbers at the tourist attraction returned to pre-Covid figures in 2022, with 436,107 tickets sold, compared with 441,590 in 2019.

The numbers have been put down to the recovery of international tourism last year. In 2020, just 149,271 people visited the cave and in 2021 the number went up to 289,349.

In fact, in August last year, almost 80,000 people visited the cave, making it the best August in a decade, according to a statement from the Cueva de Nerja Foundation.

“If we add up all the people who have visited the Nerja Cave since its discovery in 1959 until last year, we are talking about almost 19 million visitors over these 64 years,” it added.

The president of the Cueva de Nerja Foundation, Javier Salas, said, “This is great news and good data that will allow us to face 2023 with the guarantees of a job well done for the recovery. Check out the rest of this interesting article.

The Nerja Caves

The Caves of Nerja are a series of caverns close to the town of Nerja in the Province of Málaga, Spain. Stretching for almost 5 kilometres, the caverns are one of Spain’s major tourist attractions. Concerts are regularly held in one of the chambers, which forms a natural amphitheatre.

The caves in Nerja have been classed as a “Good of Cultural Interest”, a form of heritage register in Spain. In the Nerja Caves, you and your family will enjoy a 45-minute excursion to one of the most important caves in the World.

The caves are a must-see for any visitor to the town. If you don’t mind a bit of a walk, it’s worth the exercise but there are transport opportunities available.

When you come and stay with Nerja Beach Holidays self-catering apartments, villas and townhouses, make sure to add the caves to your “must-see” list.

Chinese New Year 2023 – Celebrate Chinese New Year 2023 in Nerja

Lunar New Year celebrations, also known as the Spring Festival, in China start on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The festival lasts for about 23 days, ending on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the following year in the Chinese calendar. (got that?)
It’s the Rabbit. That lovely, fluffy little character,

Which Chinese zodiac is luckiest in 2023?

The year of the Rabbit (Who else?)

The luckiest Chinese zodiac signs in the year of the Rabbit 2023 are Oxes, Tigers, and Snakes. Then, with not quite so much luck, come Dogs, Horses, Goats, and Pigs. Rabbits’ and Rats’ fortunes will be influenced by ‘opposition to Tai Sui’. Roosters and Monkeys will have to work especially hard to make headway.

Where can I celebrate the Chinese New Year 2023 in Nerja?

If you are staying in Nerja and are lucky enough to be staying with Nerja Beach Holidays, you are indeed lucky. There is no better way to enjoy any festive season than staying in your own self-catering accommodation. This allows you the time and space to make your own decisions as to where you will celebrate.

Nerja has several places to go for the Chinese festivities. I have eaten in most. China House is a long-time favourite of tourists and locals alike. Asiatico Yuan is another restaurant of good repute.

There are more, of course. According to TripAdvisor, here are the top-rated Chinese Restaurants in Nerja.

For my money, the best way to find which is the best place to celebrate is to ask the people who live in Nerja and those who are regular visitors.

Check out NERJA LOVERS’ Facebook page. These good people will provide you with all the best information, not on where to eat but, on everything Nerja.

In Mandarin, “Happy Chinese New Year” is “xin nian kuai le” (pronounced shin nee-an kwai le), which is a formal greeting typically used for strangers and means “New Year happiness.” A shortened version is “xin nian hao” (pronounced shin nee-an how) is more often used for friends and family.

Sur in English Reports The Tourists are Flocking to Spain in Greater Numbers

More than 17 million British tourists arrived in Spain in 2022 – 138.9% increase!

The Sur in English

One of the highlights of the week is the delivery of the Sur in English. This is a free newspaper for English speakers in southern Spain. There is always plenty to read. The articles are varied and there is something for everyone.

This week’s online edition carries a story about the influx of tourists into Spain. Andalucia did very well, thank you very much. A massive 138.9% increase in visitor numbers compared to the same time in 2021.

Check out this great article from Sur in English; it’s impressive.

Newly released data from the National Statistics Institute (NIE) shows that Spain received a total of 67.4 million tourists in the first eleven months of 2022. The figures represent an increase of 138.9% compared to the 28.2 million visitors over the same period in 2021. The INE data also shows that the total expenditure of these tourists last year was 81.8 billion euros – almost 161% more than the same period in 2021 when Covid-19 restrictions were still in place.

In the first eleven months of 2022, the United Kingdom topped the list of visitors to Spain with nearly 14.4 million tourists – an annual increase of 269.4%. The UK was followed by France (with more than 9.4 million tourists, an increase of 78.1%) and Germany (with more than 9.3 million tourists, an increase of 93.8%).

Among other countries, the annual growth of tourists was notable from the United States (up 82.8%), Ireland (58%) and the Nordic countries (27.9%).

November

Last November alone a total of 4.3 million international tourists visited Spain, 29.2% more than in the same month of 2021. Again UK visitors topped the list with a total of 828,680 tourists, representing 19.1% of the total – an increase of 38.4% compared to November 2021. France and Germany came second and third, respectively. France contributed 585,567 tourists (17.4% more than in the same month of 2021) and Germany 529,562 (10.3% more).

Andalucía

Andalucía was visited by 9.4 million international tourists in the first eleven months of 2022, an increase of 142%, according to the INE data. Spending by these travellers amounted to 11.26 billion euros, up 160.3% in the same period in 2021.

In November 2022, Andalucía received nearly 600,000 international tourists, 22.1% more than in the same period last year, with spending reaching 752 million euros, 38.4% more than in the same month of 2021.

Spending by tourists in the autonomous community in November amounted to 752 million euros, while average spending per person was 1,267 euros, up 13.4% on November 2021. The average daily expenditure was 140 euros, 24.4% more than the average spent in November 2021. Read more

Now, do you see the reason I bang on about booking your holidays early? Check out the main Nerja Beach Holidays website and book yourself a self-catering apartment, villa or townhouse.

Apartments for Rent in Nerja – Winter Rentals on the Costa del Sol

Rent an Apartment in Nerja and Enjoy Life

Why rent an apartment and not a hotel?

There are many advantages to booking a self-catering or private apartment in Nerja. Privacy is the first reason. With a self-catering villa, townhouse or apartment, you are not accommodated with a lot of other people you do not know. They also don’t have access to your facilities.

Room size can be another reason to book your own place. Hotel rooms tend not to be very big, in most cases. Those that are will usually cost a bit more. With an apartment, there is usually a dining area. This is great if you are travelling with family or friends. Most villas and apartments also have a balcony or patio area for al fresco dining.

Having to deal with people milling about, coming and going can be a tad irritating, especially if all you want to do is to get about your holiday. If you want to stay out late and not have to worry about creeping back to your room in fear of waking somebody up, then go self-catering.

Nerja Rentals Villas and Apartmets for Winter Rentals

Rent an Apartment in Nerja and Enjoy Life on the Costa del Sol Spain
Holiday Rental in Nerja Townhouse Bouganvilla 7 – What are you waiting for?

Sometimes, we like to get away on holiday during the winter months. There are many and varied reasons for that. You may prefer the cooler weather, the airfares are cheaper or your job may dictate your availability for vacation. Then again, you may be retired and fancy a longer winter break away from the grim weather back home.

If this is the case, then Nerja Beach Holidays has the perfect answer. Long Winter Rentals!

Check out the main Nerja Beach Holidays website and you will find all sorts of accommodations to suit your needs. This includes winter break accommodation. You and your friends and family can spend weeks and months in Nerja, exploring the wonderful Costa del Sol and all it has to offer. Apartments for rent in Nerja when you want them are just a call away.

If you need help or more information, you can contact us at any time, we will be delighted to help.

 

Day of the Kings 2023 – What is The Day of the Kings?

Day of the Kings 2023 – Day of the Epiphany 2023

Day of the Kings?

On January 5th, in anticipation of the Three Kings’ arrival, Spanish towns and cities across the country put on spectacular parades. This parade is known as the Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos, or the Three Kings Day parade. It brings dancers, musicians, and other brilliant performers to the streets.

The Epiphany, also known as Theophany in Eastern Christian traditions, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. Wikipedia
Day of the Kings Nerja 2023 - Dia de Los Reyes Magos 2023
What is Roscón made of? Roscón de Reyes is the quintessential Spanish holiday treat! This once-a-year dessert is made of oval-shaped sweet yeasted bread, similar to brioche. It can be served plain, but most often you’ll see it sliced in half and sandwiched a layer of sweet whipped cream– perhaps even with chocolate whipped cream
Typically, children give and receive gifts on Three Kings Day. In some parts of the world (primarily in Spain), children also leave their shoes by the door so the three kings will come in the night and fill their shoes with small gifts—just like on Saint Nicholas Day! They also look forward to the food, the star of the show being the Roscon.

Why is Los Reyes Magos Important?

The day of the Epiphany occurs on 6 January and is said to be when the Three Kings or Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem to give their gifts to baby Jesus. In Spain, this day is known as Kings’ Day or the Día de Los Reyes, and is celebrated just like a second Christmas, with feasting and giving presents.
Nerja, just like towns and villages all over Spain, celebrates Los Reyes Magos or, the Day of the Kings. You can join in the fun and enjoy the day as well. If you haven’t booked yourself a villa or apartment, check out the Nerja Beach Holidays website and see what is still available.
Also, to keep up to date with what is going on in Nerja in 2023, Nerja Today is a great website for information on Fiestas and other events.
I know it is only the second of January 2023 but the Winter Sun holidays are available now. Also, check out the Nerja Beach Holidays website and plan ahead for the summer holidays in Nerja 2023. It is never too early to book a great villa, townhouse or self-catering holiday apartment in Nerja.

Happy New Year!