Destination Spotlight - Eastern Andalucia, Spain continued...
A selection of regional festivals
| 5th January | Fiesta de Los Reyes - a celebration of the Epiphany when three kings ride through Andalucia bringing presents to children. There are processions throughout the region. | | | | | 20th January | Festival of the patron saint, San Sebastion,in Lanjaron, Bubion and Juviles. | | | | | Easter | This is an important holiday in Spain, with each village trying to outdo the next with elaborate, but often very solumn, processions. There are processions in most towns including Granada. | | | | | 7 April | Fiesta of patron saint, Cristo de la Expiracion, Orgiva. | | | | | April | On the last Sunday of the month, Capileira celebrates the fiesta of Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza. | | | | | 3 – 5 May | Fiesta de la Santa Cruz, Pampaneira. | | | | | June | Corpus Christi – This catholic feast is celebrated throughout Andalucia but the procession and celebration in Granada is perhaps the most famous. | | | | | 15 June | Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos, Trevelez. | | | | | 24 June | Fiesta del Agua y del Jamon, Lanjaron. | | | | | Summer ferias | each town celebrates it own feria with musical events, bull fighting, fairgrounds and fireworks. Roads are often shut to traffic with elaborate diversions and crowds fill the streets. The day is declared a local holiday so don’t expect to find banks or shops open. | | | | | 15 Aug | Fiesta de los Forasteros y Dia del Jamon, Trevalez. | | | | | 14 – 15 Sept | Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos, Valor. | | | | | 29 Sept | Summer Feria, Orgiva. | | | | | Moors and Christians Festival | Popular in Granada and Almeria provinces, the dates of this festival have been known to vary depending on the locality. There is usually a procession, followed by a battle re-enactment. | | | | | 21 September | Fiesta of La Virgin de los Dolores, Lanjaron. | | | | | 5 – 8 Dec | Fiesta de la Matanza, Pampaneira. |
Reading to get you in the mood Driving over lemons: An optimist in Andalucia, Chris Stewart
Drive Around Andalucia & The Costa Del Sol: Your Guide To Great Drives, Patricia Harris
Lionel Aggett’s Andalucia and Las Alpujarras: An Artist in Lemon Country, Lionel Aggett
Casa Moro: The Second Cookbook, Sam& Sam Clark
Don Quixote: Miguel de Cervantes
House of Bernarda Alba: Frederico Garcia Lorca
The Alchemist: Paulo Coelho Top Tips - Remember that many shops still shut for an extended lunch hour in Spain (often 12 – 3), especially in the smaller towns and villages.
- If you decide to stay in Eastern Andalucia, it is worth bearing in mind that, whilst the larger mountain villages (such as Orgiva and Lanjarron) have some shops, the larger supermarkets are found mostly along the coast. For example, you'll find a larger selection and cheaper prices if you stock up at the Auchan in Motril before staying in Las Alpujarras.
- Tourism in the mountains has historically been domestic and the population is not always as well versed in English as those on the costas, so it is advisable to carry a Spanish phrase book just in case.
- July and August are particularly busy periods in Malaga airport so it is always advisable to book your hire car well in advance, particularly if you have any special requirements.
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