Tag Archives | Spain

La Movida Madrileña in Madrid

Alaska y los Pegamoides La Movida Madrileña in Madrid

Alaska y los Pegamoides.

By ALEIX GWILLIAM

It’s 1975. General Franco has just died and Spain is on the verge of a new dawn. A country that was stuck in the past and based on tradition and conservativism is now ready to explode into a new era of freedom and inhibition. In Spain’s capital Madrid this new ideology came out very strongly, what is known today as ‘La Movida Madrileña’.

Spain hasn’t always been the open country that it is today. For the best part of 40 years, Spain was stuck under a fascist dictatorial regime. General Franco, after his coup d’état in 1936 and three years of Spanish Civil War, had taken over Spain and installed his political, social and religious views. Spain had become a highly conservative country with no freedom of expression, no freedom of religion, no freedom of culture (unless it was Spanish) and that was not moving along with the times. Franco’s police, known as los grises (the greys, due to the colour of the costume they wore), strongly oppressed and erased any slight type of social, political or cultural revolt and followed Franco’s instructions of keeping the country in line.

However, in 1975, General Franco died and Spain began to experience a transition, not just political but also cultural and social, which is only normal after so many years of dictatorship. Madrid, being the capital of Spain, was one of the places where this cultural transition came out the strongest and new icons began to surge in all cultural fields, such as music, film, art, fashion, literature and photography. However, it was in the first two especially where what became known as La Movida Madrileña (which would translate as ‘The Madrid Scene’) had its biggest impact.

As you can imagine, when someone is oppressed and is not allowed to do certain things, when that oppression disappears the first thing one will do is all the things one wasn’t allowed to do before. This is more or less what happened in Madrid, more specifically in the district of Malasaña, an excellent place to stay when you rent Madrid apartments. All the taboos under the dictatorship were broken, homosexuals started coming out and openly expressing their sexuality, recreational drugs became popular among the youth, and provocative fashion were worn by girls (under Franco, women were seen as housewifes who should take care of the family, be at the husband’s disposal, and in under no circumstances could be desirable or provocative figures, especially in the way they dressed). All of this encompassed a new identity for the youth of Spain after all those years of following the line in silence.

In music, bands such as Alaska y los Pegamoides, Radio Futura, Mecano, La Unión and Loquillo were the front runners in the industry with techno-pop with heavy synth sounds, rock n’ roll and pop being the new sounds of a country experiencing a rapid change in habits. It was a considerable change for a society who was used to listening to Julio Iglesias. In film, the movida saw the surge of film director Pedro Almodóvar, his films pretty much broke every taboo that Spain used to have. In fashion, Ágata Ruiz de la Prada created her famous and strange designs. Madrid had begun to change, and it was on course for a huge cultural revolution.

Rent apartments in Madrid and re-live all those moments that shaped Spanish culture into what it is today.

Aleix Gwilliam is a 24-year-old from Barcelona who looks English but thinks like a Catalan. He enjoys travelling, especially on old Czech trains, and trying to start conversations in Hungarian with people at Pecs station, even though his Hungarian is as good as his Bulgarian, in other words, not very good. He’s a trier.

0

La Residencia: A Luxury Hideaway in the Artist’s Haven of Deià

La Residencia Mallorca La Residencia: A Luxury Hideaway in the Artists Haven of Deià

By IAIN MILLER

On the northern coast of Mallorca, mountain slopes tumble to a rocky coastline of secluded bays fringing the Mediterranean Sea. Hillsides are covered with shady pines and ancient terraces of olive groves and fruit trees, with occasional small villages. This quintessentially Mediterranean landscape, combined with the abundant bright sunshine, has long made the village of Deià a popular place with artists. There is a now a rich artistic heritage in Deià, with many international artists having moved here to work over the last fifty years.

Close to the village is the luxury resort and spa, La Residencia. Built within the estate of two 16th and 17th century manor houses, the resort has been built in the style of the surrounding area to maintain the ambience of the area’s outstanding beauty. The artistic tradition of Deià is reflected and celebrated throughout the resort, which owns and displays a large collection of sculpture and paintings by artists who have had an association with the local area. The hotel has an artist in residence, hosts a calendar of exhibitions, and has a programme of events and master classes for guests.

La Residencia has sixty-seven guest rooms, decorated in neutral tones with white linen and traditional and antique Mallorquin furniture. Rooms and suites look out through shuttered windows over the herb, fruit and flower gardens that descend the hillside throughout the sprawl of the low-rise traditionally-styled resort buildings. Accommodation is offered in singles, doubles, and a range of suites: ‘Junior’, ‘Superior’, ‘Tramuntana’ and ‘Luxury’.

The ‘Tramuntana’ suites, named after the Tramuntana Mountains that dominate the view above the hillside of the resort, are the resort’s newest eight luxury suites, set into the mountainside in seclusion. All suites have traditional tiled garden areas for relaxing and entertaining with breathtaking views, and four have a private plunge pool. The suites each have a large bathroom with separate shower and toilet areas, spacious bedrooms with exceptionally high-quality Egyptian cotton linen, and lounge areas with luxurious furniture and fittings throughout.

The mountains and dramatic landscape around the resort can be enjoyed through a wide choice of activities offered by the resort’s Leisure Concierge service. Mountain bikes can be hired, hot air balloon and helicopter rides arranged, or one of the resort’s donkeys, Lluna, Panxo, Alba or Negret, can be taken on a short hill walk ending at the hotel’s mountain refuge, where a tasting of local Majorcan products is served.

Deià is home to a choice of fine restaurants, and a number of bars. Cafe Sa Fonda has long been a favourite with visiting artists and musicians, and occasional impromptu performances have been given on the terrace by internationally famous stars. The choice restaurant of an excellent selection is probably ‘Es Racó d’es Teix’, which has held a Michelin star since 2002.

Also acclaimed and highly regarded is La Residencia’s restaurant, El Olivo. The restaurant serves exquisite food and wine, with an emphasis on local produce, and is found in the old 16th century manor house’s former olive press. The resort’s other restaurants are Son Fony, where breakfast is served al fresco, Son Moragues Terrace for breakfast, afternoon tea and bar, and the Pool Bar with its mountain views and lunch menu specialising in fresh fish.

Spa facilities at La Residencia are superb, once again voted as one of the top four ‘Best Spas in Europe, Asia Minor and Russian Federation’ in the 2010 Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Awards. Within the indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and gym complex are six treatment rooms, three with outdoor massage areas. There are daily programmes, specific beauty packages available throughout the year, and bespoke treatment plans available from the resident beauty therapists.

For more athletic modes of recreation, La Residencia has a fully equipped modern gymnasium, and some of the best tennis facilities in Mallorca - two courts set in beautiful surroundings, with a pro-shop and a professional tennis coach available for coaching. Tennis packages are popular at the resort, with the Mallorcan climate giving excellent year-round playing conditions.

If you’re looking for a luxury holiday in Spain, Deià and the north coast of Mallorca boast stunning mountain scenery along an unspoilt coast of mountain and hillside villages. Deia took its shape during the Moorish era, with the present terraced landscape dating back to the 10th-13th Century. La Residencia offers a tranquil and rustically peaceful hideaway in total luxury, and with an array of activities to suit a wide variety of tastes.

Iain Miller is a finance and travel blogger with an unhealthy interest in poker and dreams of making it big in Vegas. He has been working in marketing for the past two years helping to promote Elegant Resorts.

10

Staying in Style & History

Parador de Toledo view Staying in Style & History

View from Parador de Toledo.

By ESCAPIO.COM

There are 93 different Paradores in Spain, each offering a unique glimpse into the rich history of the individual regions of Spain. Paradores are stunning hotels that are located in key historical buildings such as monasteries, castles and palaces. These buildings have been restored and brought up to date with the latest modern conveniences, whilst still remaining true to their magnificent pasts. Paradores offer a luxurious base from which you can explore the beautiful country of Spain from its stunning natural landscapes through to the vibrant, modern cities of Madrid and Barcelona.

Parador de Toledo, Castile La Mancha

The Parador de Toledo can offer some amazing views out over the Tajo river and the stunning countryside of Central Spain. This hotel is set in a historic old country manor house and offers beautiful guestrooms and some excellent modern facilities including a swimming pool, fitness centre and onsite restaurant with a lovely terrace dining room.

Parador de La Granja, Segovia

This stunning royal palace in San Ildefonso, Segovia (central/northern Spain) has been turned into a luxurious four-star hotel that offers all the latest modern conveniences. The Parador de La Granja was once the Casa de los Infantes (House of the Crown Princes) and has a rich history with some stunning architectural highlights such as the long inner courtyard and Cuartel General de la Guardia de Corps (Royal Guard’s Barracks) which is now the conference centre.

Parador de Gredos, Gredos

The first of the paradores was converted in 1928 from a traditional Castilian royal hunting lodge once used by King Alfonso XIII. This offers easy access to the beautiful pine forests and mountain ranges of the Sierra de Gredos. The accommodation is luxurious and decorated in the traditional Castilian style. The Parador de Gredos has a good onsite restaurant/bar, tennis courts, landscaped gardens and a play area for children.

Guest post by Escapio.com, where these Paradores are amongst the unique luxurious and historic hotels in Spain and beyond available for booking online.

0

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes