BY GINNY CUMMING & INDIA STURGIS
PHOTOLIBRARY
BIRMINGHAM
A DOGGY DOG WORLD
Puppy power! For your chance to check out some of the weirdest and most wonderful members of the dog world – from poodles with bouffant hairdos to the tiniest of Chihuahuas – head to the Crufts Dog Show at the NEC from 11-14 March, where 200+ breeds will be on show.
EDINBURGH
BABY RAVES
If the little ones are getting restless, take them along to BABY LOVES DISCO. This unlikely dance craze offers a clubbing experience for under-sevens and their parents. Yep, you heard right: the coolest clubs around are home to daytime dance parties where booties rather than stilettos are de rigueur. Throw bubble machines, chill-out rooms (with tents, books and puzzles) and nappy-changing stations into the mix, and you’ve got a rave for rug rats. But parents, rest assured: Bob the Builder won’t dominate the playlist; real DJs mix old-school disco classics from the 70s and 80s. So dust off your dancing shoes, and head to the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on 28 March! www.babylovesdisco.co.uk
AMSTERDAM
TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS…
Travel about 40km southwest of Amsterdam to KEUKENHOF GARDENS and witness an extraordinary floral display at the world’s largest flower garden. A spectacular carpet of tulips awaits, with more than seven million flowers, including some 1,000 varieties of tulips, spread over 32 hectares. The gardens are open daily, but the best time to visit is between the last week in March and the last week in May, when the beautiful flowers are in full bloom. Top tip: rent a bike and tour the colourful gardens on two wheels. www.keukenhof.com
EAST MIDLANDS
SCARY FUN
The countdown is on for thrill fans and fear addicts, with a new rollercoaster – called THIRTEEN – set to open at Alton Towers on 20 March. Hardcore super-fans were so desperate to learn more about the £15-million ride that Alton Towers even hired Tony Adkins – Simon Cowell’s former bodyguard on X Factor – to help them protect the new ride when its detail were still a secret! Far be it for us to spoil the mystery, but we can tell you that Thirteen will be a “psychoaster” featuring a mixture of physical and psychological fear, with its own creepy backstory. Spooky! www.altontowers.com
MALAGA
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
If you’re a bit of a classical music buff, head to the Teatro Cervantes on 5-6 March for a performance of works by Shostakovich, Borodin and Stravinsky by the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra. The 1,104-person capacity theatre is a sight to behold in itself and well worth a visit! www.teatrocervantes.com
PALMA DE MALLORCA
WHEELIE GOOD
Love classic cars? Gorgeous islands? Combine the two at the MALLORCA INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC CAR RALLY (or Rally Clásico Isla de Mallorca), from 25-27 March. Rally teams and classic-car enthusiasts will converge to see gleaming vintage automobiles from all over Europe follow an 18 stage, 600km route that shows off the cars’ design and technical perfection – and the beautiful island. Prizes are awarded for the most beautiful cars and when the race has ended, it’s party time! www.rallyislamallorca.com
TOULOUSE
GOTTA DANCE
It may be of Spanish origin, but the people of Toulouse pay homage to FLAMENCO DANCING with a festival running for six days, from 9–14 March. Join a class and put those skills acquired from watching too much Strictly to the test – or just stand on the sidelines and watch the experts do their stuff. www.uk.toulouse-tourisme.com
GLASGOW
MOVIE BUFFS’ DELIGHT
Movie buffs are in for a major treat at THE GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL 2010, which runs from 18-28 February. It’s an absolute feast for film fans, with guest talks, master classes, special events, parties, premières and more than 120 must-see features screening across 18 locations. Plus, there are loads of mini-festivals, such as the Glasgow Music and Film Festival, the Glasgow Shorts Film Festival and Youth Film Festival – and FrightFest, for anyone who loves a good scare! This year’s retrospective is devoted to the career of Mr Debonair himself, Cary Grant. But the thing we’re looking forward to most of all? The legendary James Earl Jones (aka the voice of Darth Vader), who’s just one of a record number of guests who will be welcomed to the festival. Can’t believe it? “I find your lack of faith disturbing.” www.glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk
FARO & LISBON
RAH FREEDOM!
Revolution Day (25 April) is a national holiday in Portugal: celebrations begin the night before and kick on with music, feasting and FIreworks, so get involved! (Random fact: loads of avenues, squares and streets in Portugal are named in honour of 25 April -– now you know why!)
BARCELONA
CARNIVAL TIME
It’s Spain’s wildest, gayest party of the year! Every day from 11-17 February, the streets of Sitges, a town just 40km south of Barcelona, will be packed with around 250,000 revellers, all dressed up and ready for a good dose of fun and hedonism at the SITGES CARNIVAL. It all gets going with Jueves Lardero (Fat Thursday) – a massive celebration of local dishes. Other highlights include parades with floats, decorated carriages and thousands of people in outrageous outfits. Don’t miss the drag shows on the penultimate day, for some of Europe’s greatest drag talents in all their sparkly, false-lashed glory. www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com
CARDIFF
FOR PETE’S SAKE
If, like us, you’re firmly on the side of Team Andre rather than Team Price, get down to Wales and show your support! The Aussie pop star is performing at St David’s Hall in Cardiff on 3 March. www.peterandre.com
PARIS
IN FASHION
If you love fashion, this is one exhibition you won’t want to miss: From 11 March to 29 August, the Musée du Petit Palais will host a must-see retrospective of the amazing career of the legendary French designer Yves Saint Laurent. Showcasing 40 years of creation, from 1962 to 2002, the exhibition will feature some 300 pieces, including sublime garments (such as women’s tuxedos and other signature YSL pieces), plus drawings, sketches, photographs, films and more. Fashionistas – start booking your trips to Paris now!
www.petitpalais.paris.fr, www.yslretrospective.com
March 27 is “Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day” – in honour of this hilarious, completely useless occasion, here are our top five…
1 - “I Gave Her My Heart and a Diamond and She Clubbed Me with a Spade”
2 - "Her Teeth Were Stained, but Her Heart Was Pure"
3 - "I Still Miss You Baby, but My Aim’s Gettin’ Better"
4 - "I Wish I Were a Woman (So I Could Go Out with a Guy Like Me)"
5 - " I’m So Miserable Without You, It’s Like Having You Here"
THE TOP 10 ADVENTURES IN ALMERIA
Like a bucket of lime thrown at the feet of a naked grey mountain, Almeria sits shimmering in the heat of Andalucia’s relentless sun. This is one of the sunniest, warmest and driest places in Europe – literally an oasis in the desert. BUT THERE’S SO MUCH MORE ON OFFER HERE THAN JUST A UV FIX, AS THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS SHOW…
BY MARK ROULSTON
GETTY
1 – Cinematic Almeria
What do Sir David Lean, Sergio Leone and Steven Spielberg have in common? The three directors have all chosen Almeria and its surroundings to double for other locations around the globe. In the Tabernas Desert north of Almeria city, Peter O’Toole led a WWI revolt against the Turks in Lawrence of Arabia, Charles Bronson and Jason Robards took vengeance against Henry Fonda in Once Upon a Time in the West, and Harrison Ford cracked his whip in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Relive favourite movie moments by visiting three Hollywood-themed parks in the area: Mini Hollywood (Carretera Nacional 340, km 464, Tabernas, tel: +34 950 362 931), Fort Bravo/ Texas Hollywood(Carretera Nacional 340, km 468, Tabernas, tel: +34 678 432 813)and Western Leone (Carretera Nacional 340, km 378, Tabernas; tel: +34 950 165 405).
2 Let me take you down…
Take off those rose-tinted round glasses. Thehistory of The Beatles’ song Strawberry Fields Forever is rather less rooted in romantic psychedelia than you may think. This paean to a Sally Army hostel in Liverpool was actually penned during a few moments of boredom while John Lennon was in Almeria to film How I Won the War, Richard Lester’s 1967 wartime farce. The bespectacled one was stationed in Santa Isabel mansion during his stay in the city and today said building – which is currently home to a cinema museum, the Casa del Cine, due to reopen any minute (1 Camino Romero, tel: +34 950 280 207; www.aytoalmeria.es) – is a Macca (ahem) for Iberia’s Beatlemaniacs.
3 Watch the skies
For those who know the difference between Messiers and planetary nebulas, a trip to the Calar Alto Observatory (tel: +34 950 632 500, www.caha.es), about an hour’s drive north from Almeria city, is a must. Here, astronomers from across the continent convene to take advantage of the observatory’s telescopes to view the crystal clear, light-pollution-free night skies. Perched atop a craggy outcrop in the desert, it’s open to the public by application only – and there’s a waiting list. However, if the thought of any bureaucracy to see the heavens leaves you seeing stars, pack a picnic and go to any spot deep in the badlands on a clear night. Pour yourself a glass of wine, look up and have your life changed forever.
4 Fine dining in Roquetas
It was once the best-kept secret in Almeria, but the days of bagging a table at Restaurante Alejandro (32 Avenida Antonio Machado, Puerto de Roquetas de Mar, tel: +34 950 322 408, www.restaurantealejandro.es) without being placed on a waiting list are long gone – in November 2009, this eaterie gained its first Michelin star, rewarding head chef Alejandro Sánchez and his team. An absolute must is fried sea anemone with strawberry-infused gazpacho, followed by rabbit with rice, snails and chocolate. Wash this down with a selection from the wine menu, which includes the fabulous – yet pricey at €830 a bottle – 2004 Pingus Ribero del Duero.
5 Take the plunge
Let’s not beat around the bush. There’s little to recommend Alhama de Almeria. It’s a dusty town on the northern face of the even dustier Gádor mountain range. It’s baking hot in summer; freezing in winter and there’s barely anything to do. Yet young and old descend upon Alhama every week and coaches queue to enter. Why? The town sits on thermal springs. The 47°C water is rich in sulphates, calcium, iron and bicarbonates, just the thing to treat rheumatism, arthritis, stress and other maladies. If you fancy staying, the three-star Balneario San Nicolás hotel (2 Calle Banos, Alhama de Almeria, tel: +34 950 641 361; www.balneariosannicolas.es) offers spa pamper sessions.
6 Flamenco nights on the tiles
Somewhat an Almeria institution, Casa Puga (7 Calle Jovellanos, tel: +34 950 231 530, www.barcasapuga.es) is a no-nonsense, spit and sawdust bar in the city centre. Here, gruff locals mix with urbane businesspersons and tourists to create a unique atmosphere where conversation warms the cold marble bar and drinks are washed down with tapas of deep-fried fish, pinchitos (kebabs) and jamón serrano (dry-cured ham). After staggering out of Puga, top off your night by witnessing some authentic flamenco. Head to the Peña Flamenca El Morato (Calle del Morato, tel: +34 675 081 307, www.elmorato.com), where past performers have included Grammy-nominated Enrique Morente. Ole!
7 A walk on the wild side
No visit to Almeria can go without a visit to the Cabo de Gata Parque Natural (www.degata.com/eng), 800km2 of protected land that’s one of the gems in rural Spain’s crown. Its rugged, unspoilt, volcanic terrain meets the sea in dramatic style: cliffs rush down to smugglers’ coves as the boundaries of the reserve extend into the crashing waves. It’s home to many species of flora and fauna, such as the bottlenose dolphin, the loggerhead turtle, wild saffron and protected varieties of sea grass. Of course, it does have its tourist resorts (San José springs to mind), where you can base yourself. Luckily, these tend to be quiet places not yet ravaged by over-construction.
8 Getting high
For wine lovers with a head for heights, why not visit Europe’s highest vineyard? In the scenic La Alpujarra mountains, about 90 minute’s drive west from Almeria, is the Barranco Oscuro bodega (Cádiar, Granada, tel: +34 958 343 066, www.barrancooscuro.com). At almost 1,400m above sea level, with views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, the Mediterranean and the high hills of Africa, owner Manuel Valenzuela produces brews that knock a lot of wines from La Rioja into a cocked hat – and has the garlands to prove it. August wine journal Sibaritas reckons its 2005 Rubaiyat Syrah top notch and its 2000 Tempranillo scored a very respectable seven out of 10 in Gourmet magazine. Anyone for a top up?
9 Going underground
This is definitely not for anyone who’s afraid of the dark, but if your idea of fun is to descend into murky depths, then read on. Sorbas, a village about 45 minutes north-east of Almeria city, lays claim to the largest karst caves in Spain. Situated within the Karst en Yesos de Sorbas protected park, these are a 50km network of underground passages. Natur-Sport (www.cuevasdesorbas.com) offers excursions for the absolute beginner to the professional pot-holer. Afterwards, spend a night at the Michelin-recommended rural hotel Cortijo Alto de Cariatiz (tel: +34 950 369 131, www.cortijoaltodecariatiz.com). Guests can lounge on their own private terrace, sipping wine while contemplating the lunaresque landscape.
10 Forever the twain shall meet
Its past glories as an important centre of trade and commerce in the medieval Islamic kingdom of Al-Andalus – as much of the Iberian peninsula was then known – are writ large all over the city of Almeria. The imposing 10th-century Alcazaba (open Tuesday to Sunday, tel: +34 950 175 500) – a Moorish fortress – towers over Almeria. Among Spain’s remaining Islamic buildings, this citadel is dwarfed in size only by the famed Alhambra in nearby Granada. Also of note is the 11th-century Muralla de Jayrán, whose snake-like city walls wind from Alcazaba up the San Cristóbal Hill, from where visitors can enjoy unrivalled vistas of the city and out over the Mediterranean.
Take 2 Small Islands…
A look at the balearic islands of Mallorca and Menorca – and the guy who swam between the two!
1 Mallorca
At a Glace
WHERE: In the Mediterranean sea, 260km east of Valencia on the Spanish mainland
POPULATION: 846,000
LARGEST CITY: Palma
BLUE FLAG BEACHES: 24
GETTY
Watersports wonderland:
The most consistent surf break can be found at Cala Mesquida, on Mallorca’s north-east corner 95km from Palma). It’s the island’s surf hotspot, offering tubes and powerful waves.
Family beach:
Playa de Muro (60km north of Palma) is a pretty beach protected by a swathe of pine trees and flanked by the big Albufera wetlands nature park. Much less crowded than nearby C’an Picafort, the water is shallow, clear and perfect for kids.
Unspoiled gem:
Cala Varques (70km east of Palma), on the road between Porto Cristo and Porto Colom, is a sensational little bay surrounded by pine trees, with powder sand, crystal clear waters – and no services or facilities. Reachable exclusively on foot or by boat, it’s visited only by those in the know.
Wet and wild:
Aqualand in El Arenal is the largest water park in the whole of Europe, with over 20 giant rides providing fun for all the family. www.aqualand.es
Restaurant with a sea view:
Enjoy tantalising food – and views – on the beautiful beachside terrace of El Bungalow, a simple fisherman’s cottage set just inside the beach of Ciutat Jardin. 2 Esculls, Ciutat Jardin, tel: +34 971 262738 (booking essential).
Away from the beach:
Take the quaint wooden train from Palma’s Plaza de España to the picturesque seaside town of Sóller. The spectacular route has wound through the mountains for nearly 100 years. www.trendesoller.com
Miguel Suñer:
Last July, Miquel Suñer became the fifth person ever to swim the 37km stretch separating Menorca and Mallorca. Miquel is a telecommunications engineer, but his lifelong passion has been the open sea. yeahbaby caught up with the 32-year-old hunk from Girona…
YB: What prompted you to undertake such a gruelling swim?
MS: In 2008, I swam across the Strait of Gibraltar, from Morocco to Spain, in three hours and 32 minutes, which is among the 15 fastest times ever recorded. I was thrilled and wanted to set myself another, tougher challenge.
I found out about the little-known crossing between Menorca and Mallorca, which had only been attempted four times, and decided that this would be my next long-distance swim. I also met Montserrat Tresseras, the last person to have completed the swim (in 1961). She’s now a grandmother and nearly 80 and truly inspirational.
YB: What training did you do?
MS: I worked in my job as a telecommunications engineer every day until 3pm and then swam 6km in the pool in the afternoons. At weekends, I did long-distance swims in the sea. In all, I’d done 70km in the pool and 100km in the sea in the months before the swim. I also had a balanced diet and ate lots of fruit. To improve my breathing and flexibility, yoga was key.
YB: Where did you start from?
MS: I set off at 4am from Cap d’Artruitx in Menorca and arrived in Cap de Freu in Mallorca 12 hours later. It’s better to start during the early morning because the sea is calmer at that time.
YB: Was the water very cold ?
MS: No, it was in fact a very warm 24 degrees! I didn’t have to wear anything other than my bathing suit and goggles.
YB: Did you take any breaks?
MS: Yes, I stopped every 20 minutes for water, and every hour for energy bars and bananas.
YB: Did you have a support team?
MS: I had a boat following me with my dad and girlfriend on board for moral support, as well as my trainer, who checked my speed and progress the whole time, and could obviously help me out if anything went wrong. We also had two cameramen from a Catalan TV station who filmed the whole thing. The captain was a retired fisherman from Menorca – he knew the route and its possible dangers very well.
YB: Which were…?
MS: Strong counter-currents made the swim more arduous, but the biggest danger was jellyfish, especially because I wasn’t wearing a wetsuit. I encountered loads in the first two hours, which made me very nervous; there were more than usual because there had been a storm the night before. Luckily, I didn’t get stung!.
YB: How did you feel when you finally arrived?
MS: The last 1,500m were the longest of my life. My arms were burning and my entire body ached. I climbed ashore, kissed it… and collapsed. It was the best feeling I’ve ever had – my dream had come true and all the pain and suffering of the past months had been worth it.
Because the wind had pushed me off-course, I didn’t arrive where I thought I would, so there was no one there to meet me when I arrived. But everyone on the boat began to scream congratulations.
YB: Did you break any records?
MS: My time was the fastest recorded: 12 hours and three minutes.
YB: What’s next?
MS: I’ve started training for my next long-distance crossing this summer – the English Channel. The swim between Menorca and Mallorca was good preparation in terms of distance – both are around 40km – but the Channel will be much rougher and colder.
It’s known as the Mount Everest of swimmers and is without doubt the toughest long-distance swim in the world.
2 MENORCA
At a Glace
WHERE: 40km north-east of Mallorca
POPULATION: 88,434
LARGEST CITY: Mahon
BLUE FLAG BEACHES: 4
Watersports wonderland:
Punta Prima, lying on the most south-easterly point of the island, is one of Menorca’s largest beaches. There’s a good selection of windsurfing, sailing and watersport equipment for hire, while the winds also make it ideal for kite-surfing.
Family beach:
Binibèquer (10km from Mahon) is a small beach in a lovely cove, with sun loungers for hire, shallow waters ideal for kids and a beach bar that claims to be the only place in Menorca where you can drink with your feet in the sea!
Unspoiled gem:
Cala Pregonda, west of Fornells on the north coast, is accessible only by foot from Binimel-là Beach. Backed by pine and tamarisk woods, and with crystal blue waters, it’s well worth the 20 or so minute walk to this secluded bay.
Wet and wild:
AquaRock Menorca in Ciutadella has tube rides, wave machines and kids’ pools with small slides. Also on offer are go-karting, trampolining and mini golf. Cala’n Bosch, Cuítadella, www.aquarockmenorca.com
Restaurant with a sea view:
Located inside an historic grotto, Cova d’en Xoroi is a unique restaurant/bar perched on the side of a very steep cliff overlooking the sugary white beach of Cala’n Porter.
Tel: +34 971 377236, www.covadenxoroi.com,
Away from the beach:
Menorca a cavall offers horseback excursions inland through picturesque forests and scenic routes along the north coast. Finca Santa Rita s/n, Ferreries, www.menorcaacavall.com
