The English Premiership is the biggest sports franchise in the sporting world with global viewing audience scattered over the entire continents of the world. It presently consists of twenty teams that are expected to play 38 games each totaling 380 games from August to May each year.

The English Premiership has seen the influx of Non-British citizens especially Nigerians over the last couple of years. Their positive influence cannot be adequately emphasized considering the fact that they remain a major force in world football. Below is a profile of the top 5 Nigerian footballers plying their trade in English Premier League clubs.

• Dickson Etuhu

Dickson Etuhu is an attacking Midfielder with Fulham football club of England. An integral part of their first team, he helped the club reach the final of the Europa Cup in 2009, where they narrowly lost to Athletico Madrid of Spain.

He is also a member of the senior national team of Nigeria- the Super Eagles of Nigeria. It is interesting to note that Dickson Etuhu participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa and had a fairly good tournament.

• Victor Anichebe

This Everton attacking maestro has always been a key member of David Moyes team until injury sustained during Nigeria’s build up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup hampered his progress. He was a member of the Silver winning 2008 Olympic Football team that represented Nigeria at Beijing. Victor Anichebe has been used largely as a sub over the past three seasons, due to the presence of established stars like Luis Saha and Yakubu Aiyegbeni in the Everton front-line.

• Yakubu Aiyegbeni

Love him or hate him, Yakubu Aiyegbeni deserves some mention among the top Nigerian stars in the English Premier League. He has previously played for Portsmouth F.C and Middlesbrough. His appearance for Everton has however been restricted to the bench in the 2010/2011 season due a dip in form.

Yakubu earned the wrath of Nigerians at the last FIFA World Cup when he made the biggest miss of the tournament in Nigeria’s third and final match against South Korea. Even though he later scored through a penalty in that same match, Nigerians back home have not forgiven him for a miss that would probably have seen Nigeria through to the next round of the World Cup.

• Osaze Odewengie

Osaze Odewengie set tongues wagging when he left Russian Club Lokomotiv Moscow for Premiership side-West Bromwich Albion in 2010. He became an instant revelation in the Premiership as he scored crucial goals in the win against Arsenal, Newcastle United and West Ham United. Osaze whose father is a Nigeria and mother Russian, opted to play for the Super Eagles and was selected for the 2004 African Nations Cup where he scored a brace against South Africa in one of the group matches. He also won silver with the Olympic team at the 2008 Olympic Games held in Beijing and recently played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup where Nigeria got bundled out in the First round.

• Obinna Nsofor

Obinna Nsofor is a striker with the English Premiership side- West Ham United. He is presently on loan from Italian side- Inter Milan where he has been for the past three seasons. He also played on loan for Malaga F.C of Spain.

At some point those who move to Spain do experience feelings of disillusionment. It may be that living in Spain is different to the picture that you had in your head when you used to come on holiday. Maybe the things that you used to enjoy when you came on holiday no longer excite you and the grass is greener (both literally and metaphorically) back in the UK. Perhaps the weather has let you down.

Nobody told you just how much it rains during the winter and how cold it gets especially indoors. At the other end of the scale, maybe you have just had enough of the constant blanket heat which is just as debilitating as the rain and cold weather that you used to complain about.

It might not have anything to do with the weather. Maybe you are just worn out with the whole relaxed attitude and the lack of care given to your concerns. Well, before you go down that spiral of feeling negative about Spain try to focus on making the most of Spain and enjoying the positive aspects. Everyone will have had their own reasons for moving to Spain and cast your mind back to when living in Spain was just a dream. Remember that it still is just a dream for many people, so be grateful for the following:

The weather which enables us to do so much providing it isn’t too hot in which case go out late at night and enjoy the holiday ambiance.

Enjoy the free things including the beach, the mountains and take a picnic with you.

Enjoy driving along the empty roads and don’t let the bad drivers get to you.

So what if you don’t get your business done today. If it isn’t a case of life or death than don’t worry about it.

If it is a case of life or death then return tomorrow, then the day after and the day after that. If you can’t, then find someone to do it on your behalf.

You rarely have to pay for parking.

When you go shopping for clothes or food, what you would have paid in pounds, you pay in Euros so you are better off.

Use the money that you saved on the above to go out for lunch.

Go exploring new towns and cities.

Make the most of the nearby airports to fly to other European countries and cities. This is a great way to explore other parts of Spain. From Malaga you can fly to Madrid and Barcelona and if you want to get away from Spain then fly to Paris.

Although curious about hypnosis and the potential benefits of hypnotherapy, lots of people are convinced that they cannot be hypnotised. For some it is like you need to be wired up in a certain way to be hypnotised whereas for others it is a question of will. So the question-can I be hypnotised is one of the main stumbling blocks for people.

Hypnosis-A Common Misconception
The most common misconception is that I think I cannot be hypnotised as I am too strong willed. This misconception understandably comes from the stage larks people have seen live and on television. Let's face it, there is only a percentage of society who wants to quack like a duck or cluck like a chicken. So this leads people to the assumption that being hypnotised is for the weak willed not the strong willed.

There is often the suspicion that being hypnotised could label them as being unintelligent or weak. Also the reverse can be true where some people feel that a person has to be strong to be hypnotised.

Hypnotisability Can Be Correlated With Certain Qualities
Actually modern research shows that "hypnotisability" can be correlated with intelligence, concentration and focus. Most people can be hypnotised to some degree – the only question is how far. There are different levels of depth and a good hypnotherapist will work in accordance with the client's type of suggestibility.

Suggestibility refers to the way people learn. Some people respond better to direct suggestions whereas others respond better to inferred suggestions. Therefore during the hypnotic induction it is the hypnotherapist's job to work according to the person's prominent suggestibility type. In other words communicate in the way that is most in tune with the client.

The vast majority of people will either be physically or emotionally suggestible; however there is a small percentage of what are called intellectually suggestible and also those who are 50/50 physical / emotional who are called somnambulists. This group are the most easily hypnotised and it is the job of a stage hypnotist to spot them in the audience and bring them up on stage!

Different Levels of Hypnotic Depth

Hypnoidal – This is the lightest stage of hypnotic sleep and is characterized by REM (rapid eye movement).

Cataleptic – This is the medium stage which is characterized by the eyes moving from side to side.

Somnambulism – This is the deepest stage and is characterized by the eyes rolling upwards under the eyelids.

Hypnotherapy-Clearing Up Some Myths

So let's say you now realize that with your permission you can be hypnotised, but you still have other concerns which need to be allayed before you would consider hypnotherapy. Let's look at some of the common myths.

Will I Fall Asleep?
When a person is hypnotised they are actually in an alert state, which enables communication with the subconscious mind. It would not make any difference if you were to fall asleep, but more than likely it is the case that the subject is benefitting from being in a very relaxed state.

Can The Hypnotist Find Out My Secrets?
Even though you will be in a very relaxed state during hypnosis, you are still in total control. Therefore unless you wish to reveal personal details you will not.

Will The Hypnotist Make Me Do Silly Things?
During hypnosis you are in full control, so unless you feel like doing silly things you will not.

I Am Worried That I Won't Come Out Of Hypnosis?
A hypnotist will bring you out of hypnosis at the end of the session. Even if something happened to the hypnotist you will come out by yourself. Some people may have a natural sleep first and then come out whereas others will come out after opening their eyes.

The vast majority of society can be hypnotised whether they believe it or not. Hypnosis is actually a state of heightened awareness. Hypnosis used in a therapeutic setting is called hypnotherapy, which can be effective for a diverse range of situations from stopping smoking, to weight loss, to increased confidence and hypnotherapy can help with fears and phobias.

If you are wanting to book villas and apartments in Spain for rental in the beautiful region of Sevilla it is possible to save money by contacting the holiday home owners direct. Villas in Spain or more particularly a villa to rent in Spain, Sevilla can be booked with private owners who generally only ask for a deposit of about 20% to confirm a holiday booking. By booking direct with the owners of villas and apartments in Spain for rental you can also ask specific questions and make sure the accommodation is suitable for your needs. Quite often the owner of a villa to rent in Spain Sevilla will have local knowledge which they are happy to pass on to you about the best places to eat or visit or even to avoid!

Airport services in Spain are generally reckoned to be pretty good by many owners of Spanish apartments to rent in Sevilla. The Sevilla capital is very close to Sevilla airport, it is approximately 12 miles away. All the same you may want to investigate other routes, which may be able save you some holiday cash, such as a flight to Jerez Airport or even Gibraltar and car-hire for the very agreeable drive up to Sevilla.

The weather in Sevilla goes from one extreme to the other depending on the season. In the summer the weather is very hot, with temperatures as high as 39 ° C, but in the winter it is normally chilly and can be showery. People often say that it is better to visit Sevilla in the spring or the autumn when the weather is pleasantly warm at around 25 ° C. Even so, there is generally something interesting going on in Sevilla whether it is hot or cold!

Sevilla is an amazing city to visit any time of the year, but spring is special because of the festivals including the Seville Fair. At this time of year it can be very difficult to book a villa to rent in Spain Sevilla or even Spanish apartments as the city is bursting at the seams with visitors. You need to book your Spanish apartments to rent or Spanish villas well in advance before they have all been snapped up. Hundreds of decorated Casetas (canvas tent pavilions) are set up in the center of the town for the duration of the fair. This is a week of serious dancing, drinking, eating and enjoying entertainment with late nights the norm so a villa to rent in Spain Sevilla would be an ideal base from which to enjoy the fun.

Tourists booking Spanish apartments to rent often like to use their Spanish language knowledge while on holiday and Sevilla is a perfect location for this. The citizens of Sevilla are always happy to chat with holidaymakers who have picked up a smattering of Spanish language. A good location to meet the locals is in the El Salvador Square in the summertime. During the hottest part of the day the square is canopied with large sunshades which give protection from the hot sun and allow people to comfortably relax and gossip over a cold drink or a glass of vino. A villa to rent in Spain Sevilla vacation can be a really satisfying cultural experience and is an unmissable holiday destination.

Finally, I would just like to remind you that it is possible to save cash when booking villas and apartments in Spain for rental by dealing with the private owners direct. When you have reserved your villa to rent in Spain Sevilla, I would likewise recommend that you book your own flights to Sevilla; nevertheless one thing you should seek professional advice for is travel insurance. Find a reputable broker and make certain that they can provide the cover you require at a competitive cost.

Before the printing press came into existence, printmaking was not considered to be an art form. It was viewed as a way of communicating. It was only in the 18th century when art prints began to be viewed as originals, and then in the 19th century, artists began to produce limited edition of their work and signing those prints so that the work could be authenticated.

Engraving is as old as the cave art when it was used not just on stones and bones, but also on the walls of caves. Some 3,000 years ago, the Sumerians were engraving designs on stone cylinder seals. However, historians believe that it was the Chinese who were responsible for the first form of printing in 2nd century AD which they did by means of rubbing. However, the first authentic prints were made in the middle of the 8th century by the Japanese which consisted of wood block rubbings made into Buddha charms.

The Europeans were printing textile in sixth century, but paper printing started later when the technology of making paper arrived from the Far East. The first paper was produced in 1151 in Jativa, Spain. In the 15th century, the first woodcuts printed on paper were in the form of playing cards. Just before that, Henry VI made the first royal seals and stamps.

A few decades after woodcut, metal engraving started. It was an art that only the goldsmiths and weapon makers used. The earliest printed engraving is from 1446 which is a German print. Germany gets the credit for developing intaglio printing from where it made its way to Italy and the Low Countries.

In the 17th century, printing was seen as ornamental decorations all over Europe. This form of printmaking was primarily used for decorating portraits and paintings. Intaglio printing at this time was done with the help of acid as artists at that time considered it to be a work of creativity. Although etching was primarily done in Italy, most of the etching artists were foreigners like Jacque Callot and Claude Lorrain from France and Jose de la Ribera from Spain. In Netherlands, etching was done by the master painter Rmbrandt, who produced nearly 300 etched plates.

In the 18th century, the entire printmaking was concentrated in Italy with the rise of Tiepolo. It is believed that Francisco Goya was highly influenced by Tiepolo. After that came Canaletto, who is considered to be most important architectural printmaker, making around 3,000 architectural etchings.

In the 19century, printmaking had made its way to France and printmakers like Ingres, Delacroix, Theodore Rousseau and Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot were in great demand. Also Impressionist like Manet and Degas are considered to important printmakers during that period.

In the first half of the 20th century, printmakers were led by Pablo Picasso, and then Malaga. In fact, Picasso gets the credit for making France the hotbed for printmaking. After that came Braque, Matisse, Rouault, Chagal, Joan Miro, Max Ernt, Jan Arp, and Salvador Dali among many others. Germany saw the likes of Emil Nolde, Max Beckmann, George Grosz, Ernt Barlach, Erich Heckel and Oskar Kokoschka. These were the Expressionists.

In England, Henry Moore was busy creating sculptures and lithographs. While in the US, printmakers like George Wesley Bellows produced lithographs, John Sloan and Reginald March etchings, and Milton Avery drypoint. However, the most important printmakers in America was Edward Hopper and Ben Shahn.

Synonymous with the Marriott brand is a sense of style and quality, as well as an abundance of amenities both on site and in the local area. The Marbella Beach Resort timeshare complex is no different and an undoubted haven for those who like to enjoy a holiday that combines active pursuits and relaxation. With numerous swimming pools and a fantastic location that opens out onto the beautiful, sandy shoreline of the Spanish south coast, there is plenty to enjoy for those who enjoy taking a dip. Unlike other resorts in the centre of the vibrant tourist town of Marbella, this Spain timeshare resort has a real sense of tranquillity, which the incredible beachside access only adds to.

With nine golf clubs within a five mile radius of the Marbella Beach Resort timeshare complex, it is easy to see why happy hackers and handicap-holders alike might choose the region for their holiday. Being on the Costa del Sol, Marbella and the surrounding region attracts excellent weather, with sunshine throughout most of the year, making it an ideal autumn or spring break from the dull overcast skies and showers of Britain’s golf courses.

Capobino golf course is literally within walking distance of the resort, while the prestigious Santa Maria Golf & Country Club is just a few more hundred yards up the road. The Spanish take their golf very seriously, with the county having produced such stars as Seve Ballesteros, Juan Miguel Jimenez and Sergio Garcia – and this is reflected in the quality of their courses, with the green keeping being second to none. While most Spain timeshare resorts offer access to great golf, the Costa del Sol region is particularly well known for the golfing vacations it offers.

While Marbella has never been fortunate enough to have a particularly successful football team, local side UD Marbella do play in the Tercera División, the fourth tier of the Spanish league structure. The real draw of the region for football fans however is back towards the airport from which most holidaymakers probably arrived in the country. Malaga CF have launched an ambitious project to challenge the might of Barcelona and Real Madrid, with their new owners spending 52 million Euros on big names such as Santi Cazorla and Jeremy Toulalan. Their stadium, La Rosaleda is likely to witness some exciting football over the coming seasons, meaning Spain timeshare holders will be scrabbling for tickets.

Back on site at the Marbella Beach Resort timeshare complex, fitness fanatics or those who just enjoy casual games of sport will find other pursuits to keep them occupied. With an extensive fitness centre as well as tennis courts, table tennis tables and a multipurpose sports court all the ingredients are there for an active holiday.

Home baking is now a normal activity in many households. The manual part of bread making (mixing flours, kneading) is fascinating, but the main reason is that it is very easy to do the math: bake bread yourself rather than buying it at the supermarket, and you will save a lot of money.

In this article I will talk about wheat flour, the most used for breads all over the world. Historically, wheat is one of the first and most important cereals to be used by ancient civilizations. It first appeared almost 10000 years BC in the area in the Near East watered by rivers Tigris and Euphrates, called the Fertile crescent. Over the centuries, wheat started to be grown in other areas such as Europe and China. Worldwide, wheat is now produced for the most part in the European Union, mostly in Italy and France.

The seed (or kernel) of wheat is composed of three parts. The bran is the outer shell, and contains fibers and vitamins (especially B). The endosperm is a source for starch (a polysaccharide carbohydrate). The germ is small, but full of vitamin E and B and antioxidants. These three parts can be combined to obtain different kinds of flour.

White flour is produced from ground endosperm. Whole grain (also called wholemeal) flour is made grounding all three parts together. A particular type of wholemeal flour is called Graham flour, where the three parts are grounded separately (the endosperm more finely, and the bran and the germ more coarsely) then mixed back together. Germ flour is made from the endosperm plus the germ. Germ and bran can also be found alone as by-products of milling process. Germ is often used as supplement for athletes as an aid to gain muscle resistance, whereas bran is added to breads to enrich their fiber content.

The right flour for bread baking is “strong.” The strength of a flour depends on the content of gluten, a proteic complex composed of glutenin and gliadin. Gluten absorbs water up to 150% of its weight, and when the dough is left to rise, it withholds the CO2 produced by the yeast, giving bread its typical bubbly and spongy texture. If you have ever kneaded strong flour you will have noticed that the more you work it, the harder the dough gets. This is the flour’s strength. Gluten forms a kind of elastic coat, that can be stretched while kneading and holds its shape when baked.

The higher the protein content, the stronger the flour. Ideally, percentage of protein should be 15% but 12% is also fine. If the protein is below 10%, it means that the flour is “soft” and should be used to prepare cakes. Apart from bread, strong flour is also used to prepare Italian dishes like pizza, focaccia, and fresh pasta.

Epiphany is a special festival celebrated all over the world but in Spain people are more excited to celebrate this day. It is celebrated twelve days after Christmas on 6th January. It is also known as the “Three Kings Day”. The word “Epiphany” originated from Greek meaning “manifestation” and the day is celebrated because people believe that God came to the Earth as a human in the form of his son.

Children are very excited as they receive gifts from the three kings. On Epiphany morning, you can visit the local bakers in Spain and buy a local cake/pastry called a ‘Roscon’ which is a ring-shaped roll. The roll is filled with cream or chocolate and is decorated with a paper crown. In addition, there will be two plastic wrapped figurines inside the cake: a small king and a faba bean. One who gets the slice of the cake with the small king is the king and the person will have good luck for the rest of the year. The person who gets the faba bean has to pay for the cake.

It is the best part and you can find this tasty sweet dish on each and every shop or bakery house. The day honors the three wise men that followed a star to find Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and gave him gifts the night he was born.

The celebrations are done all over Spain but the main procession takes place in Madrid. Different parades are taken out on the streets. On January 5th, people line up the streets to get a glimpse of the celebrations and the special parade. The parade runs through the popular historic center and attracts a number of people. Children follow the kings through the streets on the day. People dressed in beautiful costume bang drums and you can also see dancing puppets and clowns. Sweets are thrown by the kings who ride on the camels and collected by the children as well as the youngsters. If you are in Spain at the time of Epiphany, do not miss the parade. Children also go from house to house, sing songs, and receive treats.

Children place straw or grain in their shoes to serve the food to the king’s horses. These are left on balconies and refilled at night by parents with the gifts and cookies. The three kinds represent three different continents. King Melchior represents Europe, King Caspar represents Asia, and King Balthazar represents Africa. Children write letters to the kings and post them in special boxes kept in departmental stores. Children receive presents as per their wish.

Shopping centers in Malaga remain open till very late hours. The sale also starts from the 26th of December and lasts till the end of this festival. It is total worth spending time in Spain to enjoy epiphany. This wonderful festival can make great memories for your children. The arrival of Epiphany marks the end of the festive season. You will surely enjoy spending time with your friends and family. People give a warm welcome to ‘plough Monday’ the very next day of the festival. It is the end of the festive season that spreads love and laughter all over.

Spanish Festivals and Fiestas are a celebration of what it means to be a Spaniard to be a part of and to share a common National and Local History and Culture…so with that said let’s explore some of the many celebrations that take place throughout this colorful country.

January

The year of Spanish festivals and fiestas celebration starts off in January with La Fiesta de la Reconquista (Festival of the Conquest) in Granada to celebrate the taking back of the city from the Moors in 1492 with a number of parades outside the historic city hall. On January 5th in most cities around Spain the procession of the Three Kings takes place to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men in the afternoon before Epiphany day, bringing presents for children. On January 17th Dia de San Antonio Abad patron of the animals is celebrated throughout the Peninsula followed by the feast of St. Fabian and St. Sebastian on January 20th when the whole town of San Sebastian dresses up in celebration. On January 29th Fiesta de San Valero patron saint of the city of Zaragoza where locals and visitors share pieces of a giant Roscon (a sweet pastry made out of flour, sugar, milk, eggs).

February

Spanish Festivals in February start off with Carnival being celebrated throughout Spain, Madrid’s Carnival was revived in 1976 after being prohibited under Franco’s Regime. It might not be one of the bigger ones but it still a lot of fun, I remember going with one of my many cousins to many of the celebrations especially the one that ends on Ash Wednesday with the traditional Burial of la Sardina (sardine) Parade where all participants are dressed in black and carry a cardboard sardine in a coffin to be buried at La Fuente de los Pajaritos symbolizing the beginning of Lent. If you are looking to be a part of the Carnaval celebrations the biggest ones take place in Barcelona, Cadiz, Jerez and Sitges. Throughout the month of February you can attend The Seville Tapas Fair, the city of Sevilla devotes itself to catering to tapas lovers providing a perfect opportunity for visitors to sample some authentic Spanish Cuisine. Towards the end of the month the Jerez Flamenco Festival takes place starting on February 25th and ending on March 12th. Here thousands of flamenco students gather each year to attend workshops and classes, a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from the masters. Even if you are not lucky enough to get a student invitation if you love flamenco it is still worth making the journey to view some of the most famous bailaores of our time perform at the Teatro Villamarta.

March

Spain has fiestas and festivals throughout the month on March 15th we have Las Fallas in Valencia a week long succession of parades and other activities leading to its culmination on March 19th, the Night of Fire, with the burning of the giant papier mache figures to chase away the demons of winter.

April

April has some of the biggest celebrations, Semana Santa or Holy Week the week before Easter, lasting 10 days and finishing on Domingo de la Ressurreccion (Easter Sunday) most impressive in Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, Cuenca, Jerez and Zamora. Feria de Abril in Sevilla takes place this year from April 3rd to May 8th, a colorful celebration that includes Parades of Horses in which local girls dressed up in flamenco costumes are paraded in beautiful carriages, performances of flamenco, bullfighting and prancing on the streets. We cannot forget the Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christian) celebrations that take place in various cities along the Spanish coast most famous is Alcoy, Alicante where the celebrations take place between the 22nd and 24th of April reliving the battle between Moors and Christians that took place in the area many centuries ago. Ending the month on the 27th of April we have the celebration of La Virgen de Monserrat in Cataluña declared patron saint of Cataluña by Pope Leo XIII.

May

In early May takes place the Feria del Queso in Trujillo where you can savor cheeses not only from the area but the world. In mid May takes place the Spanish Festival La Feria del Caballo in Jerez an event visited by thousands which highlights the city’s equestrian heritage. The Fair also includes a large number of bullfighting and flamenco shows. During this month there is a low key event that takes places in Cordoba called Concursos de los Patios or Popular Patios Competition held during the second or sometimes the third week of May residents of the old quarter of the city open their private family courtyards to visitors. In the meantime Madrid celebrates de fiesta de San Isidro marking the start of the bullfighting season, a week-long celebration with parades, music, dancing food fairs and bullfights. At the end of May beginning of June takes place the Spanish Festival la Romeria del Rocio in the region of Andalucia a pilgrimage either on foot or carriage to the shrine of the Virgen del Rocio (Virgin of the Dew) in Huelva.

June

In early June we find the Christian Holiday of Corpus Christi, meaning the body of Christ, with some of the largest processions taking place in Barcelona, Valencia, Toledo, Malaga, Sevilla and Granada. We cannot forget the Sunday after Corpus Christi where an unusual Spanish Festival celebration takes place in Castrillo De Murcia, El Colacho, better known as the Baby Jumping Festival. Babies are laid out on mattresses and grown men dressed as devils jump over the infants for the purpose of cleansing them of all evil doings. In Huelva we have La Romeria del Rocio. The arrival of the summer solstice is celebrated with bonfires and fireworks in places like the feast de Las Hogueras de San Juan en Alicante, a smaller version of the Fallas de Valencia, Las Noches de San Juan or the Night of St. John in Zaragoza where bonfires blaze and fireworks are lit while families and friends gather on the streets to celebrate, and Barcelona’s Noches de San Juan or La Nit de Sant Joan where thousands gather on the beach to light bonfires and celebrate until dawn. If you like to participate in a unique celebration head to Haro, La Rioja for the the Spanish Festival celebration that takes place on June 29th when locals and tourist alike prepare themselves for the wine fight of their lives. The combat goes on for several hours until around noon when the crowd makes it way to the town center for a sort of mini running of the bulls.

July

As we know July’s famous Spanish Festival celebration takes place in Pamplona with the running of the bulls (Fiesta de San Fermin) which always begins on the 7th of July and runs for a week. Cordoba hosts EL Festival de la Guitarra de Cordoba or Guitar Festival of Cordoba from the 6th to the 25th of July an International event which features many masters of the guitar. La Fiesta del Carmen takes place along coastal towns such as Nerja and Fuengirola on July 16th to commemorate la Virgen del Carmen patron of sailor’s and fisherman. Towards the end of July the 24th and 25th takes place La Fiesta de Santiago or St. James Feast in Santiago de Compostela where the faithful gather to see the great Botafumeiro or huge incense burner in the cathedral representing the King’s Offering to the Apostle and see the incredible fireworks display at the Plaza of Obradoiro. If you love jazz you might consider attending the San Sebastian Jazz Festival or Jazzaldia at the end of July 21st through the 25th performances take place daily at the Old Town’s Plaza de La Trinidad.

August

Spanish Festivals in August begin at Vitoria’s week-long celebration of the Festival de La Virgen Blanca (White Virgin) starts on August 4th and runs through the 9th culminating with a human style puppet that soars above the crowd in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. There is also La Fiesta de Agua celebrating San Roque in the afternoon hoses, hydrants and buckets are brought it for a major water fight. You can also attend the Strong Men Competition and sample lots of Basque food during Bilbao’s Aste Nagusia celebration that runs for nine days starting on the 20th of the month. Let’s not forget the famous La Tomatina Festival in Bunol, Valencia on August 31st where you will have a throwing tomato fight with very little rules… don’t fret about getting ammunition as the ripe fruit is brought in by truck loads just for the occasion.

September

September Spanish Festivals start with La Fiesta de La Vendimia (Jerez Sherry Festival) on the first Saturday of the month in Jerez celebrating the Sherry grape harvest, including the blessing and ceremonial crushing of a basket of grapes. Meanwhile on the second Sunday of the month the Fiesta del Arroz (Rice Festival) de Valencia commences with its international paella competition. All the while in Barcelona the celebration de La Merce, its main annual festival, takes place featuring human towers some as high as 10 stories, fireworks, processions and dance performances. Then on September 21st the San Sebastian Film Festival begins an international renowned event.

October

October starts with a surfing competition in the Basque Coast the ASP World Tour Billabong Pro. October 12th is the day of La Hispanidad, this day there are celebrations taking place throughout the Peninsula commemorating the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World in 1492. Also in October the celebration de La Virgen del Pilar which lasts for seven days, among the events that take place are bullfights, fireworks and concerts. Foodies flock to Galicia’s O Grove Fiesta de Exaltacion del Marisco Seafood Festival to taste the delicious Galician shellfish. If you are not into shellfish you can opt to attend the Saffron Rose Festival in Consuegra to celebrate the harvesting of the flower.

November

The 1st day of November is Dia de Todos Los Santos or All Saints Day celebrated everywhere with one of the biggest celebrations taking place in Cadiz. In Cantabria the Festival de Orujo takes place with a lot of eating and drinking taking place, locals dress up in their traditional costumes and there is music and dancing. Towards the end of the month and in anticipation of the Christmas Holidays the Christmas Market is setup in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid where over 100 booths are set up selling anywhere from religious artifacts to bizarre costumes to celebrate el Dia de Los Santos Inocentes on December 28th.

December

Christmas in Spain is big, on December 21st the Hogueras (bonfires) de Granada and Jaen take place where attendees jump through bonfires to protect themselves from illness. The Christmas lottery draw takes place on December 22nd a tradition originating all the way back to 1812. Christmas is a very family oriented holiday in Spain starting with the Nochebuena (New Night) on December 24th, I remember those evenings like they were yesterday our whole family (a big one 25+) would get together and celebrate by eating, drinking and being together. December 28th is El dia de los Santos Inocentes or the equivalent of April’s Fools. December ends with a huge celebration Noche Vieja (Old Night) and its tradition of eating the 12 grapes of good luck. As the New Year approaches families gather in front of the TV with their grapes and at 12 seconds to midnight the countdown begins, each time the clock in La Puerta del Sol in Madrid rings a new second every Spaniard eats a great for a total of 12 grapes, a tradition believed to bring you good luck in the New Year!

Costa del Sol in Spain, the sun coast has been a popular holiday destination for years. With millions of holiday makers from across Europe renting holiday apartments and hotels in the long established resorts such as Fuengirola, Benidorm and Marbella. But a little further along the coast is less well developed providing more open space and quieter destinations for a more relaxed holiday.

Casares is one such area that is developing slowly with facilities improving but these areas will never be overwhelmed by new building as further along the coast. Areas such as Casares are where many local Spanish people take their holidays with a growing number of holiday apartments in Casares on the Costa del Sol.

1. Sun, Sun and more Sun. As the name suggests, the Costa del Sol is the Sunny Coast with some of the most reliable weather in the world and more than 30 days sunshine each year. Summer temperatures are hot, 30’C in July as wanted by many holiday makers and with the benefit of a slight breeze that makes the very hot temperatures more pleasant. And winter temperatures average 12’C making the autumn time prime time for golf holidays in Casares area.

2. Easy Travel. Links to apartments on the Costa del Sol and Casares are good with easy links to travel by plane, train, bus or car. Fly with budget airlines to Malaga approx. 60km and Gibraltar approx. 30km. For the scenic route take the bus, train or road through the Costa del Sol to Casares. With road links by A road or fast toll road, both are scenic routes through the rugged hilly area.

Once at your Casares apartment you can travel by bus or road most easily, with regular buses stopping 800m from the area. Or hire your own car to really explore the CVosta del Sol and Casares region. Or catch a taxi with the taxi rank 800m from the apartments to rent in Casares.

3. Location. Casares in the Costa del Sol has the best of many worlds. The apartments to rent are set in spacious gardens with fabulous large, crystal clear swimming pool. Just 800m from Casares beach, a sandy, blue flag beach with 2 beach bars and safe bathing. Plus a short drive from the mountains and hills and open countryside.

4. Things to do. Within walking distance of the Casares apartment there is the swimming pool, a boule courte to play petanque a game played by many in this part of the Costa del Sol, and a small putting green to practise your golf shots. Walk 800m to the Casares beach, beach bar, and shop. Or walk 200m to a bar, restaurant, gym and beauty salon. Walk 400m to Casares Golf course, a 9 hole course or the same distance to the prestigious Finca Cortesin Golf resort, host of the Volvo World Match play.

Slightly further afield from the Casares apartments you can walk in the mountains, cycle, horse riding, boating, fishing, sailing, kite surfing, eating, drinking.

5. Places to go. Along this part of the Costa del Sol coast there are several small towns to visit near the Casares apartments. Visit Sabinillas, the nearest small tow, typically Spanish and unspoilt with shops, beach, sea front esplanade and markets. Or Duquesa with its marina or Estepona with an esplanade, marina, shops and market. Or visit Marbella, Puerto Banus, Sotogrande, Gibraltar, Ronda. Or drive into the hills to see Casares white village with its steep roads and cubic buildings.

6. Eat and Drink. In self catering apartments you may choose to cook yourself or eat out and taste the local Spanish foods. Walk along the beach and see sardines being grilled on bamboo spits over charcoal, a local favourite. Choose from many places to eat and drink close to Casares apartment, from typically Spanish food to more international foods. Within a short walk there is a bar and restaurant with lovely terrace over the Casares Golf course to eat tapas and enjoy the view. Visit the beach bars, chiringuitos, for sea food menus. And in the towns choose from seafood, Spanish as well as Thai, Indian and Chinese foods.

7. Play Golf. The Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa del Golf because of the high concentration of golf courses, and Casares region is no exception with the world class Finca Cortesin next to Casares apartments. Also in Casares is Casares Golf and Dona Julia Golf course. With many more golf courses within a 30 minute drive, there are courses to suit everyone with views of sea and mountains.

8. Relax. Away from the crowded beaches towards Malaga, the Casares apartment in Costa del Sol offers a quieter more relaxed location for a holiday in Southern Spain. Set within a tranquil, safe, gated development near quieter beaches but close to the amenities that make a holiday to enjoy.