Something a little different

Many of our Members are well traveled and here we list just a few places, or events, that we have enjoyed and think that others might like to know about. Places and events that might not be on the usual tourist intineraries.
 

Fiesta de San Isidro, Ardales, Andalusia - discovered by our Chairman

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This picture was taken in May 2006 at Ardales, a small town northwest of Malaga, by Bruce our Chairman. He says " We were on our way home at the end of a holiday and we made a short stopover in this town for a breather, on our way to the Malaga airport.
 
It happened to be the annual fiesta dedicated to St Isidore and was quite obviously a small-town affair: but there was a collective beano at an open space not far from the road and the giant paella was part of it. We were invited to stay and partake but we had a plane to catch!".
 

The festival of San Isidro is held anually on the Sunday closest to 15th May.
 
More information

Daroca, Saragossa, Aragon - discovered by the Webmaster and his wife

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Daroca is a city and municipality in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, situated to the south of the city of Zaragoza. It is the center of a judicial district. It is located in the basin of Calatayud, in the valley of the rio Jiloca. The N-234 highway passes through Daroca. We found it returning back to Santander, from San Javier in Murcia, by a more northerly route that was avoiding toll roads and Madrid.
 
      Searching for a hotel off the route on Google we discovered the Hotel Cien Balocones, which sounded wonderful (and was). But we had not expected the town we found. Daroca is on the N-234, a lovely road that goes through a beautiful valley full of small vineyards. When you turn off the N-234 in to the town you find an enormous gateway for the town is completely surrounded by walls. We arrived early enough to have a wander round and to take in the little streets of the old Jewish Quarter, La Fuente and the wonderful tiled rooves.
 
The hotel was very modern inside and dinner was served in the courtyard. Much to our delight, the air conditioning was silent. Yes, silent. We slept in noiseless, cool.
 
Our aim is to return as the area has many way-marked walks.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daroca