Alan Hazel, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

Antonio Banderas elevates the fine arts credentials of his native Malaga

By Alan Hazel on Jan 18, 2019 in Celebrities, Europe, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

For more than two decades now, the Andalusian city of Malaga has invested heavily in visual and fine arts development, beautification projects and a general effort to elevate the cultural attractiveness of the popular Mediterranean port city. It has paid off. The city now has more than 30 distinct and respected museums, its very own

22 Michelin stars over Andalusia

By Alan Hazel on Dec 24, 2018 in Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Every November, with much anticipation and fanfare, the Michelin Guide announces its updated list with what is widely considered the authoritative voice on the world’s best restaurants. With ideal growing conditions and plentiful produce, Michelin stars in Andalusia have been ascendant over the past decade as the gastronomy of the region gains more and more

Top tips for travel in Andalusia’s “Axarquia”

By Alan Hazel on Nov 16, 2018 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Few people outside of the little region of La Axarquia itself know the mountainous, coastal territory in Malaga’s easternmost corner by name. At the far end of the Costa del Sol, La Axarquia is in many ways the antithesis of what the “costa” has come to be associated with, having preserved its natural beauty and

A Jewish heritage tour of Andalusia

By Alan Hazel on Oct 23, 2018 in Attractions, Europe, Featured, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

As a bridge between Europe and Africa, Andalusia has a rich and diverse history, though the cultures and religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have undeniably left the most important and lasting marks. They coexisted in relative harmony, and even supported one another in various ways for centuries; however, following the gradual and brutal Christian

Autumn in Andalusia: a guide to culture and cuisine

By Alan Hazel on Sep 17, 2018 in Attractions, Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

There are many reasons to travel Andalusia in the autumn months, after the searing summer sun begins to pale, the crowds slowly dissipate, and the hillsides awaken from their summer dormancy for something of a second spring with a burst of colour. Cultural enthusiasts will enjoy better, more intimate access to the innumerable historic sites,

5 refreshing river walks to beat the heat in Malaga

By Alan Hazel on Aug 17, 2018 in Attractions, Going Out

The Andalusian province of Malaga offers some of the most impressive, varied and beautiful hiking in all of Spain. The recently connected Gran Senda de Malaga, for example, is a circular hiking route stretching more than 600km and covering a startling array of landscapes through mountains and valleys, across cliffs and plains, and a vast

A UNESCO tour of Andalusia's three cultures

By Alan Hazel on Jul 19, 2018 in Europe, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

The rich history of Andalusia is in many respects the history of its three most influential cultures and their defining religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Andalusia is a vast region of nearly 34 thousand square miles, with some cities established in excess of 3,000 years ago, some of the oldest in Europe. That’s a lot

5 sizzling Summer festivals in Malaga, Spain

By Alan Hazel on Jun 18, 2018 in Europe, Events, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Already the summer season beckons. Especially here on the southernmost Mediterranean coast of Andalusia, the sun over Malaga province begins to intensify as the longest day approaches. And though the sun blazes a scorching path throughout summer, nothing in Malaga sizzles so much as the festivals between spring and autumn. Every village, town and city

5 reasons for a beach holiday in Malaga province

By Alan Hazel on May 18, 2018 in Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Leisure Travel, Regions, Spain, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

With more than 8,000 km of coastline, Spain has long been a primary destination for European sun and surf seekers. In fact, Spain is set to overtake the United States this year as the second most visited country country in the world, thanks in no small part to its expansive beaches and virtually endless sunshine.

Andalusian insights: the spirit of Malaga in five "pueblos"

By Alan Hazel on Apr 17, 2018 in Europe, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

The province of Malaga on Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast evolved from a rich and varied past. A story beginning with pre-historic cave dwellers and ancient, nomadic tribes, Phoenician settlers, and Roman, Visigoth and Moorish conquerors ahead of the Christian “re-conquest”. The city of Malaga was founded nearly 3,000 years ago, making it one of the

Andalusian insights: the luxury of silence

By Alan Hazel on Mar 13, 2018 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Regions, Spain, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe

“Let us have the luxury of silence,” Jane Austen, “Mansfield Park” With constantly beeping phones, demands from offspring, the rhythmic ping of notifications and constant hum of home technology, it can sometimes feel like we are being constantly attacked by the gnat-like pecking of noise. Our lives are faster and fuller than ever before and,

Andalusian Spring comes early, bring on the fiestas!

By Alan Hazel on Feb 15, 2018 in Europe, Events, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Winters in Andalusia are as mild as they come, and the sense of the spring season seems to linger for half of the year. The sun bathes this southernmost region of Spain for more than 300 cloudless days each year, giving Andalusia bragging rights for mainland Europe’s best climate. Spaniards have a definite penchant for

Andalusian insights: Nerja

By Alan Hazel on Jan 17, 2018 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Real Estate, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Andalusian capitals such as Seville, Granada, Cadiz, Cordoba and Malaga all have a certain mystique about them, well known and well loved. But one of the most endearing things about Andalusia, inspiring that wonderful sense of wanderlust in adventurous travelers, is the proliferation of lesser known towns and villages across the region. The buzzy little

It's raining Michelin stars over Spain

By Alan Hazel on Dec 17, 2017 in Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

On 24th November in Tenerife, Canary Islands, the Michelin guide announced the Spanish restaurants honoured with stars for 2018. In a gala event at the Ritz-Carlton it was revealed that two restaurants in Spain can newly boast the three star accolade, the highest award offered, bringing the total to an impressive 11 three star establishments

Enduring luxury: a long-term Winter rental in Andalusia

By Alan Hazel on Nov 20, 2017 in Europe, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

Recent years have witnessed the stellar rise of experiential travel, immersive cultural explorations and a “slow-life” approach to vacationing. To be sure, some will aim for immersive and life altering experiences within the one or two week period afforded them by the workplace and other life restrictions; however, by definition, a slow-life approach requires time,

Sun, surf and slopes: Winter in Andalusia

By Alan Hazel on Oct 16, 2017 in Europe, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

Long famed for its sweeping beaches and seemingly endless summer sun, Andalusia is without a doubt a Mediterranean sun-seeker’s paradise. But what many people may not understand is that the intense summer rays are usually not the most comfortable of the year. Here in Spain’s southernmost region, the reputation for reliable sunshine is very well

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