Andalusia

The name Andalusia comes from either of two possible sources "Vandalusia", the land of the Vandals who occupled Spain after the Romans, or (as is thought more likely) "Al Andalus", the name given to Spanish territory brought under the control of the Moors.

The Moorish influence is what makes the region so exciting. The outstanding monuments are in the big cities the alcazar in Seville, the Mezquita in Cordoba and the Alhambra in Granada but all over the region, in the architecture, culture and even the faces of the people, Moorish legacies still exist.



Andalusia is rich in natural delights. The notorious Costa del Sol stretches from Estepona to Malaga, but east towards Almeria are some of the most picturesque beaches in Spain (particularly around the Cabo de Gata) and west on the Atlantic coast the windy beaches are huge and unspoilt and attract windsurfers from all over Europe. You can ski in winter and summer on the Sierra Nevada, the mountains south of Granada, and the Alpujarras (the Sierra's foothills) are wonderful hiking and horse riding country.

After 500 years as an impoverished backwater, Andalusia today is experiencing a surge in prosperity. The tourist industry has damaged the countryside but undeniably brought in the cash and with the prestige of an Andalusian national president (and deputy) and the build up to Expo 92 (the massive fair to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in America) the region has acquired new status. Badly paid labourers still toil on the land driving through the countryside you can see big groups of them working by hand but land reforms are changing the old feudal ways and Andalusia is now potentially the richest agricultural area in Spain.

Algeciras Hotels

La Villa Marbella - Calle Priincipe 10 Old Historic Town Marbella 29600 Spain
Hotel Casa Grande - Plaza De Las Angustias 3 Jerez De La Frontera 11402 Spain
Hotel Enfrente Arte - Calle Real 40 Ronda 29400 Spain
Palacio Garvey Hotel - Plaza Rafael Rivero Calle Torneria 24 Jerez De La Frontera 11403 Spain
Molino del Santo - Bda Estación s/n Benaojan Ronda 29370 Spain
Los Castanos - Calle Iglesia 40 Cartajima Ronda 29452 Spain
Hotel Villa Jerez, - Avda De La Cruz Roja 7 Jerez De La Frontera 11407 Spain
Hotel San Gabriel - Marqués de Moctezuma 19 Ronda 29400 Spain
La Posada del Torcal - Partido de Jeva Villanueva de la Concepción Antequera 29230 Spain
Hotel Casa Morisca - Cuesta de la Victoria, 9 Granada 18010 Spain
Casa de los Migueletes - Calle Benalua 11 Granada 18010 Spain
Hotel La Fuente De La Higuera - Partido de los Frontones Ronda 29400 Spain
Apartamentos Murillo - C/ Reinoso 6 Seville 41004 Spain
Silken Al-Andalus Palace Hotel - Avenida de La Palmera S/N Seville 43012 Spain