The season that lies ahead in 2012 will be our sixth full year of operation, and we are looking forward to a year of welcoming back previous guests as well as meeting new ones for the first time.  The New Year period has already been and gone and was a busy time for us, with a full house of guests, many of whom had come for the excellent rock-climbing to be found in the area.  We hope to have more rock-climbers visit us in the future, as this is an activity – along with other outdoor and nature-related interests – that we are actively promoting.  In the cooler months of the year the area is a haven for those looking for an outdoor holiday rather than one based around sunshine and beaches.  Mountain biking, hiking, horse riding, bird watching and hill walking are just some of the other activities that can be enjoyed in the immediate area around the villa, or at most within a 20 minute drive. 

Diversification has to be a positive thing, especially in the uncertain economic times that seem to face everyone at present– in whatever European country you find yourself.  In past seasons, we have directed our marketing efforts at a wide range of nationalities as well as at the local Spanish holidaymaker and house renter.  Indeed, our flexibility and the range of accommodation options that we can offer have proved to be a popular concept with our guests.  Many – particularly in the peak holiday season – still prefer to go for the traditional Bed and Breakfast type of visit and spend much of their time during the day exploring the surrounding areas and attractions.  However, even these guests (more often than not) also choose to take advantage of our evening meal service, so in fact have all the advantages of a friendly country hotel but without the constraints that are traditionally associated with that type of accommodation. 

Other guests prefer to have self-catering accommodation, and this is where our apartment comes into its own.  Although it is an integral part of the main house, it has its own entrance, two en-suite bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen and living room.  Guests staying here, however, also have full use of all the other facilities of the villa including the option of evening meals.  Sometimes, however, we are more than happy to offer “Casa Rural” type accommodation to those who are looking for that particular option.  This involves renting a room (as you would on a Bed and Breakfast basis), but without the breakfast – or indeed any other of the catering that we generally offer.  For these guests – and it is generally a Spanish concept – we are happy to allow them to ‘self-cater’ in the main kitchen, which obviously they might have to share with any other guests staying here at the same time.  However, the facilities and the space have always meant that this has never been a problem and has proved a cost-effective and convenient choice for many guests. 

Another possibility is that of Villa Rental (renting the entire house (with or without the apartment depending on numbers) ), which means that groups of up to 16 people can spend time here together, but with sufficient space that it never seems crowded or cramped.  This option has been chosen in the past for either weekend lets – usually for Spanish hen parties – or else for longer stays when an extended family wanted to holiday together.  In this case, guests have full access to the whole property, and basically rent the villa for their vacation with exclusive use of the kitchen, living areas, gardens, etc.  We are still on the property, but in our separate apartment so do not in any way intrude on our guests’ privacy, but are nevertheless on call if any help or advice is requested. 

So we anticipate that we will welcome our guests in 2012 with as wide a range of options and choices as possible, and making ourselves known to as many different types of holidaymaker as we can.  Traditional overnight Bed and Breakfast guests, apartment renters, weekend party groups, special interest holidays, or Spanish “Casa Rural” guests – we look forward to meeting them all during the coming year.  We are enlarging and improving our sun terraces around the pool so there will be even more space for our guests to relax and make the most of the gardens and the beautiful weather that we hope to see in the year ahead. 

The animal lovers amongst our guests will not be disappointed either, as we now have a third dog who has joined the household – a beautiful and placid Spanish Mastiff called Lola who is the very epitome of the expression “gentle giant”, and who we are sure will charm each and every one of our visitors.  She is joined by Aurora and Sandy, so we now have the full set – small, medium and large!  Cat lovers will also be pleased to hear that Sparkle (our Siamese looking cat) continues to thrive, and has grown from a tiny bottle-fed kitten to a healthy 18 month old beauty, so the entire Villa Florencia family is ready and looking forward to welcoming all our guests in the coming season. 

We hope that many new visitors will come for the first time, but of course it is very gratifying when previous guests come back to us again. If the weather is as good for the rest of 2012 as it has been so far, it should be a year to remember!

Penya Roja Climbing Lodge is a beautiful and spacious country home, located just minutes from two of the Costa Blanca’s best climbing rocks, Gandia Crag and El Bovedon or an easy drive to any of the Rock climbing sites on the Costa Blanca.

Your hosts , Nigel and Mark, run the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge with all of its facilities and comforts like a small country hotel and combine this with a welcoming feeling of informality and relaxation. Our aim at the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge is to provide an exceptional standard of individual service to our guests, making them feel that they are in a friendly and informal atmosphere where they can relax and unwind without the usual constraints of a conventional hotel.

Our B&B accommodation consists of 5 spacious bedrooms (three twins and two doubles) all have air-conditioning and heating, are well furnished and benefit from housekeeping services on a daily basis. Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities are provided in each room and all have modern en-suite bathrooms with power showers.

Additionally there is a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom self contained, self catering apartment for rent.

The lodge also has ample car parking facilities – we would suggest that guests hire a car in order to derive the greatest benefit from the surrounding towns and countryside.
The public rooms of the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge include a bar and lounge for the use of all our guests, where – depending on the season – you can either have a refreshing drink after a hard day’s rock climbing around the pool, or enjoy your favourite after-dinner liqueur in front of a log fire on the cooler winter evenings.
Breakfast and dinner are both served on the glass-enclosed terrace which has panoramic views of the nearby orange groves and mountains.

For those who wish to venture further afield, the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge provides an ideal base for daily excursions to Valencia, Benidorm or Alicante

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Spain is not just about sun, sea and sangria, it’s about the Moors, the Reconquest, El Cid, Hernan Cortes, the Conquistadors, the Golden Age, Don Quijote, the Camino de Santiago, Flamenco, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, paella, seafood, the Alhambra, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, Andres Segovia, Joaquin Rodrigo, Carmen, Napoleon, Wellington, the Spanish Armada, Catalyuna (Catalonia), Andalucia, or Andalusia if you prefer, Rafael Nadal, Fernan Adria – the list goes on and on.

Books4Spain has been established by Rod Younger, an Anglo-Spaniard and author, to help you discover Spain and its rich history and culture through books, as well as to provide you access to useful, relevant and interesting information about living, travelling or holidaying in Spain.

Our intention is to try and re-create the experience, attractions and benefits of a traditional bricks & mortar independent bookshop but with the added convenience afforded by the Internet and technology to offer better choice, an easier way to discover books about Spain, great customer service and, ultimately, to enable our clients to learn more about Spain, its culture and history.

We have a small but growing network of reviewers who are either experts in a particular field, e.g. Therese Wassily Saba for flamenco and classical guitar (www.myflamencodiary.com), or who are book lovers and lovers of Spain and who write the Books4Spain Reviews for specific books.

Customer service is a priority for us and we aim to respond within 24 hours to any emails and to try and resolve any questions or queries as quickly as possible. We are human and we are new so the site is constantly being improved and our book selection increased.

We welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have with regard to the site and our book selection – we are always looking to add quality books about Spain to the site so please do email us your suggestions/recommendations to suggestions@books4spain.com and we will use our best efforts to source the relevant book(s).

Authors such as Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, Laurie Lee, Gerald Brenan, George Borrow, Richard Ford and Washington Irving have long been fascinated by this amazing country and we hope that Books4Spain enables you to discover, and share in, their experiences and those of many others.

We look forward to being of service to you.

Many people are seeking alternatives to the seaside resort holiday that is centred around lots of sunshine and doing as little as possible except maybe reading a book on the beach or around a swimming pool.  Pleasant as that prospect may be, spending two weeks with nothing else on the agenda can become a little monotonous.  More and more holidaymakers are looking to combine some of the lazy sunshine holiday concept with a certain amount of activity, and it is here that the area around Gandía and the whole area along the Costa Blanca can really come into its own. 

The beautiful mountain scenery that lies almost immediately behind the coastal resorts along the Costa Blanca provide for a whole host of activities that are only now being fully recognised by local towns and businesses as equally valid and attractive reasons to come to this part of Spain.  An obvious recreation in the La Safor mountains near Gandía is that of hiking and walking, and there is a wide choice of routes that have been mapped out for the enthusiast, ranging from easy, gentle walks to more strenuous hikes and climbs.  Local authorities have started producing maps showing the recommended routes to follow, and these are also signposted along the way to make things even easier and more “user friendly” and less daunting for the first-time hill walker.  There is also a hiking information centre in the hills behind Gandía where many of the local routes are centred upon, set in an area designated of special interest and natural beauty.  As an extra point of interest, some of the routes also make use of disused railway lines in the area and the hiker will find themselves taking unspoilt and scenic routes between towns and villages, often even walking through former railway tunnels along the way. 

If walking and hiking does not appeal, an alternative is cycling and mountain biking.  This is a recreation that is hugely popular amongst local people, and it is not hard to see why.  Bikes can be hired locally, either as an independent daily or weekly rental, or in the company of a guide who can take the enthusiast along routes in the hills and mountains if a road trip is not what you have in mind.  Stunning mountain views are the reward for a steep climb through many of the villages and towns in the area, and then of course there is always the extra reward of the exhilarating downhill trip at the other side!  It is very easy to combine a route that takes in a mountain section, followed by a return along the coast and maybe a swim in the sea all in the same trip – the best of everything! 

Nature lovers can also indulge themselves along the Costa Blanca by visiting the areas frequented by the many species of birds in the area – both local and (depending on the time of year) migratory.  There is a large designated nature reserve of wetlands to the south of Valencia City that will be of particular interest to the bird watcher, and this is home to a great number of species as well as a stopping point for birds that are passing through on their seasonal migrations.  In addition to this specific area, the entire stretch of coast provides excellent opportunities for spotting a wide range of birds, including many birds of prey in the mountains.  Guided bird watching tours can be arranged by local experts who can take the visitor to the best starting-off points, depending on the particular types of bird that are of particular interest.  This can in fact be an excellent way of combining the different activities that the area lends itself to so well – walking through beautiful scenery whilst at the same time spotting varieties of birds and wildlife the visitor is unlikely to encounter at home. 

And all this, of course, is available along the Costa Blanca in a climate so very much milder and warmer than what the visitor would probably be used to at home.  Indeed, the long mild season that this part of Spain generally experiences makes it perfectly possible – and maybe even preferable – to take a break at a time when the mainstream holiday crowds have either not yet arrived or already returned home.  The visitor can then benefit from lower airfares (rather than having to pay the premium normally levied during school holidays), cheaper accommodation costs, and of course a less crowded environment than during the traditional peak season.  

Alternatively, if some members of a group want the more traditional high-season holiday activities of sun and sea, this can be combined with the interests of the walker and nature lover all in the same trip.  The Costa Blanca and the La Safor region in particular really does have a lot more to offer than first meets the eye.

Last week we were pleased to welcome a couple from Edinburgh who had booked to stay with us for a week of late summer sunshine. Brian and Ruth are keen hill walkers and hikers, and wanted to spend some time in nice weather preparing themselves for a walking challenge that awaited them after their return to Scotland.

During conversation, it emerged that both Brian and Ruth are doctors back home in Scotland and were both feeling the need for some well earned rest and relaxation – as well as pleasant walking in the sunshine.

This part of the Costa Blanca has some magnificent walks, and it is fast becoming a recognised destination for hikers and hill walkers as well as more serious climbers. Routes are for the most part well signposted and marked out, and lead participants through beautiful scenery and tranquil surroundings. Estimated times are displayed as well as the level of difficulty involved, so there is something suitable for everyone in the area around here.

Brian and Ruth were to be staying with us for six nights, so they had time to combine plenty of walking and exploring with some relaxation in and around the pool, as well as one day’s sightseeing in Valencia City. Typically, they would take advantage of the designated walking routes in the mornings, often have lunch in a restaurant at the end of the walk (maybe sampling the local specialities of paella and fideua), and then later in the day return to Villa Florencia for some afternoon sunshine.

The weather on the Costa Blanca has been especially good this year and remained so for the duration of their stay, without the sometimes erratic changes that can take place in September. Days have been pleasantly warm and even night time temperatures have been staying much milder than usual.

Their excursion to Valencia was planned for the Sunday of their stay, as they wanted to get a feel for the place, without necessarily visiting every tourist sight in the guidebook! They went up by train and walked around the historic area, and were able to do so without the crowds of people that might have been around on a weekday. A trip on the tourist bus completed their visit and gave them a good impression of what a lovely city Valencia is.

Brian and Ruth were delighted that their time with us was a perfect opportunity to get a late summer sunshine break and prepare themselves for the chill that would probably await them on their return to Scotland. They were more than pleased with the variety of walking routes to be found near our guest house, and feel that they would like to come back in the future to do more of the same.

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It was an absolute pleasure to have them visit us, and we would certainly hope to see them with us again in the not too distant future.

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This week marks the five year anniversary of our arrival in Gandía as the owners of Villa Florencia – also known now as Gandía Casa Rural.  We were originally attracted by the beauty of the area and the prospect of running our own guest house and bed and breakfast business on the Costa Blanca and that initial appeal still holds good today, five years on. 

Much has changed in that time, both in the way we run the business, as well as in the wider world generally, but we certainly have no regrets about making the move to Gandía and changing our lives so radically.  At the beginning of our time here, we put in a great deal of effort in improving the house and grounds, as well as constructing a new frontage to the road and an adequate guest parking area.  A reconstruction of the swimming pool was undertaken at the same time, and glass doors enclosing the upper terrace provided a spectacular dining and breakfast space. 

A steady flow of guests has followed, and we have always been pleasantly surprised by the mix of nationalities that has visited us and the different reasons for people seeking out this corner of Spain.  The initial surge of property hunters reduced in line with the general crisis and recession that hit Europe as a whole, but we were pleased that – as well as maintaining our level of northern European holidaymakers – we were being visited by an ever increasing number of Spanish guests.  They often wanted to spend their holidays in Gandía in an area of peace and tranquillity whilst at the same time being within easy striking distance of Playa de Gandía and all the facilities that are on offer there.  Even the attractions of Benidorm are within a very reasonable driving distance, as well as the sights of Valencia City itself. 

So, five years on we find ourselves now catering for a much more Spanish clientele than previously, but of course we are still keen to make everyone who arrives at our door most welcome.  We are able to be very flexible in the accommodation and service that we offer to our guests, ranging from the traditional Bed and Breakfast with the option of an evening meal service as well, to the possibility of renting the whole house on a self-catering basis – either for weekend house parties or for extended families to holiday together for a week or longer at a time.  The self-catering apartment (which can hold four people in comfort) is another option that we offer as well, and again it is available to rent either by the week or for longer periods for those that want to spend a few weeks away from the cold and grey of a northern European winter. 

We embarked on a complete change in our lives five years ago, and still feel that the life that we lead here on the outskirts of the town of Gandía is one that we are very privileged to enjoy.  The surroundings here are some of the most beautiful that you could ever wish to live amongst, and it is a constant source of surprise to see who will be our next guests, so moving here is a decision that we have no regrets about at all, and we look forward to the next five years and meeting even more interesting people who arrive at our door.

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valenciabirding.com is owned by Nature Trail Spain, a small but specialist active tourism company based in La Drova, 70km south of Valencia, Spain.

We provide guided Bird Watching Tours throughout Eastern Spain, encompassing Valencia, Alicante and Castilla de la Mancha.  This area is blessed with an incredibly diverse range of habitats and excellent birding sites, many of which are virtually unknown!  We cater for all levels of bird enthusiasts and provide a bespoke guiding service at very reasonable cost. Our local knowledge can ensure that our clients can make the absolute most of their time in Spain by depending on us to take them to the very best sites.

We offer full day and half day tours and can cater for a maximum group size of 8 people. There is no minimum group size – we can cater for families, couples or even individuals who maybe in Spain for a family holiday and wish to escape the beach for a day out birding!

The diverse habitat of our area provides fantastic opportunities for a wide range of bird watching trips. These include coastal wetlands, high steppe, lakes and lagoons, Mediterranean scrub, and mountains and crags. Therefore, the variety of species is truly incredible.

Our style is very informal and relaxed. We have a wide range of half day and full day itineraries but we place your   shes above sticking rigorously to a fixed schedule! Our priority is quality time and enjoyment rather than rushing around simply trying to maximise the tick-list!

We try to ensure that our clients get the very most from our trips by listening to their needs. Should you, as an experienced birder have specific ´target birds´that you wish to see, we will do our very best to achieve such. On the other hand, if you are new to Bird Watching and would like to see the birdlife that Spain has to offer whilst learning more in a very relaxed environment, we are equally willing and able to provide a service for you.

Binoculars

Where required, binoculars are available for hire at €5 per trip (must be requested when booking but payable on the day). Depending on the location, a telescope is usually provided by the Guide for use by all at no extra cost.

Children

Children are made very welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and child-seats or booster seats must be provided by the parent or guardian. Fact sheets can be provided at no extra cost for children who would like to learn more about the key species that can be found here in our region.

Transport

Transport is usually provided in the form of our fully insured, highly maintained 9-seater minibus. This is fully equipped with seatbelts and air conditioning (and usually a coolbox full of cold drinks!).

In order to maintain effective and manageable groups our tours are limited to a maximum of 8 participants. This enables everyone a good opportunity to see the birds. We rotate seating arrangements in the bus so that everyone has a front seat at some stage. We never forget that it is your holiday and we try our best to give you a wonderful experience and some long lasting memories.
 
 

Specific Bird Watching Tours

Our style is to design bespoke trips based on our clients´wishes and therefore we have too many specific options to list here.  However, here are a few examples of our most popular trips…

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Valencian Coastal Wetlands – Full Day.

Perhaps the premium trip for those wishing to discover the huge range of Mediterranean bird species that the Valencian coastline has to offer. To make the absolute best of this trip, some walking is necessary and although the distance is approaching 7km, all of it is on good paths and the entire route is flat.

This virtually undiscovered gem of a site is worth a visit at absolutely any time of year. Breeding species include Collared Pratincole, Avocet, Glossy Ibis, Purple Gallinule, Squacco Heron plus all the Western Mediterranean species of Egrets. Marbled Teal, Red Crested Pochard and White Headed Duck are among the wildfowl on offer.

Depending on the season, other highlights include Bittern, Spoonbill, Snipe, Marsh Harrier, Bluethroat and Woodchat Shrike.

During migration periods, almost anything can show up! Join us for a trip that will provide lasting happy memories for years to come.

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Mountains & Marshes – Full Day.

This trip takes advantage of the diverse range of habitats that the Valencian region has to offer, and takes in stunning mountain valleys, reservoirs and coastal wetlands.

The morning is spent exploring the beautiful mountains and valleys around Vall de Albaida. The scenery alone makes this a worthwhile trip, but the bird life on display is simply superb. Individual species are too numerous to list, although highlights could include Sardinian Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting, Iberian Grey Shrike and Hoopoe. During the “summer” months we can also expect to see Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Blue Rock Thrush and Alpine Swift. Raptors are always possible, including Griffon Vulture and Golden Eagle.

The afternoon is spent exploring coastal marsh, a local hotspot that can turn up surprises at all times of year. Highlights often include Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Little Bittern and Purple Gallinule.

This trip can easily be adapted to the capability of the group, but can easily be enjoyed without the need for strenuous activity. The walking is short and mainly on level wide tracks. Be sure to bring a camera!

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Steppe & Lagoons – Full Day.

This trip provides a complete change in terms of habitat, and takes us up into the high plains of Albacete. One of the lesser known parts of Eastern Spain, this fascinating area comprises seemingly endless open spaces where Great Bustards proudly roam (Europe´s heaviest flying bird weighing up to 16kg!).

Black Bellied Sand Grouse, Calandra Larks, Crested Larks, Rock Sparrow and Bee Eaters can often be seen, as can many raptors including Booted Eagle, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Merlin.

The area also includes a number of lagoons where Flamingo can often be seen in good numbers. Other regular species include Little Ringed Plovers, Black Winged Stilt, Wood Sandpiper, Avocet and Black Necked Grebe. Wildfowl can include White Headed Duck, Shelduck, Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler and Gadwall.

Like most of our trips, this can be adapted to suit the physical capability of the group. However, it can be enjoyed with minimal physical effort. A superb day out to an area that offers a unique habitat range.

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Mountain Bird Life – Half Day.

This half day trip visits spectacular mountain scenery, where the star species is undoubtedly the magnificent Griffon Vulture. With a wingspan of over 2 metres, they make for an unforgetable sight.

This trip can also provide the opportunity to enjoy other mountain species such as Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Sardinian Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Crag Martin and Raven.

Some walking is required including a very short section of steep footpath. However, the distance is short and most of the time will be spent watching rather than walking!

This half day trip can be combined with other sites to form a full day trip if required.

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Coffee in Spain seems to be a ubiquitous drink and one that can be enjoyed virtually wherever you go. Better still, the coffee in Spain is invariably delicious. Certainly, there can few greater pleasures than sitting outside a Spanish bar with a sparkling blue sea in front of you whilst having a sociable cup of coffee. This is bliss – particularly when combined with the fact that rarely in Spain are you ever rushed. So, you can sit with a single coffee (costing around 1.40 Euros) and relax in a way that is quite impossible within the frenetic atmosphere of Northern Europe or the US.

The thing is that, away from the big cities, Spanish life is slower and more relaxed than in Northern Europe and the US. In provincial areas, the word ‘tranquil’ (calm) seems to appear in most conversations and slow, long lunches and relaxed coffee breaks are a way of life. Certainly, I have never been hurried over a coffee in Spain and frequently I have enjoyed every minute of reading right through a newspaper having had a single cup of coffee. To have had more was not expected and, to be honest, not needed.

After all, coffee in Spain is something to be savoured. To have a proper espresso machine is de rigeuer for any bar, café, restaurant or hotel and to be served over-brewed filter coffee or (Heaven forbid) instant coffee would be to insult the taste buds of any self-respecting Spaniard. In fact, after eight years in Spain, I have only ever been offered a cup of coffee in Spain at a Spaniard’s home twice. On both occasions, they had their own espresso coffee machines and I suspect that if this was not the case then no coffee would have been offered. When it comes to espresso coffee machines they are available for the home if you are an aficionado of great coffee – although I prefer not to have the hassle and go out for a coffee. In terms of commercial espresso coffee machines, these are available from a number of coffee machine manufacturers.

Living in Spain, I am biased (obviously) and would recommend a look at the espresso coffee machines made by Crem International in Gandia, Valencia Province whose brand name Expobar you will have seen on many espresso coffee machines in cafes and bars around Spain. These have a good reputation as being both robust and reliable.

Coffee in Spain, Crem International, espresso coffee machines, coffee machine manufacturer, Expobar Great coffee in Spain is de rigeuer with almost every bar having an espresso coffee machine.

Incidentally, if you want your own espresso coffee machine then drop Carolina Arbona a line (she speaks fluent English and Spanish) and she will tell you more…

Nick Snelling – Culture Spain

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Welcome Guests Return!

We are always glad to see previous guests come back to us, and so it was particularly good to welcome back Marie, Anton and their daughter Jana. They had stayed with us two years ago when they were taking a touring holiday in Spain, and this year they wanted to make a return trip. They were going to be visiting some of the places they went to before, but also some new destinations as well. However, one thing they did not want to miss out on was a week’s stay at Villa Florencia!

In 2009 they had stayed with us on a B&B basis, but this time decided to make use of our self-catering apartment, as it would give them greater flexibility and more space for themselves and their growing daughter – who would be able to have her own room and bathroom. A self-catering holiday at Villa Florencia suited them perfectly, as they were able to make use of our evening meal service in the main house when they felt they wanted to, but maintaining their independence at other times. They wanted to explore the parts of the Costa Blanca that they did not have time to visit before, and also to have sufficient opportunity to relax around the pool and in the gardens at the villa too, so felt that a week’s stay was the right length of time to fit everything in.

They spent most mornings and early afternoons exploring nearby towns and going on excursions to some of the Costa Blanca resorts, as well as taking a day to explore Valencia City. Late afternoon and early evening they would then return “home,” making the most of the more gentle sunshine in the garden and playing in the pool with Jana. On a couple of occasions they used the outside barbecue to prepare their evening meal, and at other times (when not taking advantage of our meal service) they cooked their food in the well-equipped kitchen in their own apartment.
Their week’s visit passed all too quickly, and it seemed incredible that a full seven days holiday had gone so fast and it was time to leave already. However, they were adamant that any future trip to this country would include a break with us in Gandía, and they most certainly plan more touring holidays in Spain again, so we very much look forward to seeing them with us again. It is always great when past guests come back and even better when they say they enjoyed themselves even more than the last time and want to do it all over again!

I have just been approached by a very high profile Spanish organization that is campaigning against animal cruelty in Spain.  This, of course, should be of interest to any right minded person and I hope that you will do your ‘bit’ to support them – and the many other organisations in Spain that do so much to help injured or homeless animals here.

Certainly, there is animal cruelty in Spain – just as there is in any country in the world.  However, it would be quite wrong to think that all Spaniards are cruel to their animals.  That is far from the case and you have only to attend a local festival like San Antonio to see that the vast majority of Spaniards love their pets and care for their animals.

However, there are enough Spaniards around who are cruel to their animals to give cause for genuine concern.  Yoquierogalgos (I love greyhounds) is a Spanish organization that highlights monstrous cruelty in Spain against greyhounds – focusing on these lovely dogs to highlight the problems of animal cruelty in Spain.

Certainly, Yoquierogalgos illustrate some stomach churning stories to illustrate cruelty to animals in Spain.  For example, some 50,000 (!!!) greyhounds are dumped every year after the end of the greyhound racing season in January/February.  These dogs have a racing life of two years and then are, quite simply, disposed by their owners, like rancid meat.

Meanwhile, the training of greyhounds is often brutal with tying a greyhound to a car for ‘training’ (‘el galgo a motor’) actually still legal in Andalusia.  In many cases, the dogs concerned die, are run over or go blind from the effort involved in keeping up with an accelerating vehicle.

Needless to say, illicit dog fighting in Spain continues in many areas of the country.  This is a particularly revolting sport that has disappeared from most civilized countries long ago.  Tragically, this is not the case here and many large family dogs are stolen only because they can be used as bait and practice for fighting dogs.  Often the stolen dogs used for ‘practice’ have their teeth removed before being forced to fight, so that they do not damage the valuable fighting dogs.  Disgusting.

Part of the problem is that the sanctions for animal cruelty in Spain are laughable. At best, if someone is found guilty of cruelty to animals in Spain they will receive a fine of 100 Euros!  There are no prison sentences available to the courts to punish cruelty to animals and often the Spanish police are reluctant to take action.

Yoquierogalgos told me of a recent case where a man murdered and tortured a puppy.  This was recorded on video, posted on the Internet and showed the dog being tortured for 29-minutes – during which the poor creature was burned, had its limbs broken and objects inserted inside it.  After months of investigation (following numerous complaints) the culprit was found and identified as a Treasury official in Badajoz who already had a history of torturing dogs.  He was issued with a fine…

As Yoquierogalgos say: “Unfortunately, this is the reality in Spain. If nothing happens to a psychopath like the man in Badajoz then what will exists to punish hunters, gypsies and dog breeders who are also guilty of continuous and terrible cruelty?”

Clearly, something needs to be done and a start would be to have realistic punishments in place for anyone guilty of cruelty to animals in Spain.  This is certainly something for which Yoquierogalgos are campaigning.  They are also, of course, trying hard to change the culture of cruelty that clearly exists in some sections of Spanish society.  Needless to say, this is the long range solution but perhaps the most important one to tackle and one that you can help with – by changing the opinions of those who feel animal cruelty (anywhere in the world) is acceptable.

Alexandra Jiménez, Animal cruelty in Spain, cruelty in Spain, cruelty to animals in Spain, cruelty to dogs in Spain, dog cruelty in Spain, dog fighting in Spain, Malu, Mariano Alameda, Monica Naranjo, Rocío Madrid, San Antonio Festival, Sandra Barneda, Yoquierogalgos