Alan Hazel, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog - Page 2 of 5 : A Luxury Travel Blog

Savour the Mediterranean at Malaga's top seafood spots

By Alan Hazel on Sep 21, 2017 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Ahh, the Med…. The name alone conjures images of sand swept beaches and sapphire blue waters, lingering sunshine and lazy days, romanticism, and fleeting moments of amor. Picture the fishing boats small and large bobbing between the gentle waves near the coast as squawking seagulls circle above, the taste of salt delivered on the breeze.

Autumn in Andalusia, a gourmand's getaway

By Alan Hazel on Aug 26, 2017 in Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

There are many reasons to travel Andalusia in September and October, 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. But for active culinary enthusiasts, autumn in Andalusia holds a more specific allure,

Unsung Andalusia

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

Even with Spaniards outside of Malaga province, you’d be hard pressed to find many people that know the region of La Axarquia by name. It is a mostly sleepy and agricultural little area on the hilly, eastern edge of Malaga province, where the mountains meet the Mediterranean Sea. Goat herds dot the pastoral landscapes in

Top 5 rooftop bars in Malaga, Spain

By Alan Hazel on Jun 23, 2017 in Bars, Europe, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

Who doesn’t love a rooftop bar? Especially in a city such as Malaga on Andalusia’s Mediterranean coast, with its perpetual sunshine and soothing views of mountains and sea, the rooftop terrace seems like a no-brainer. Still, it was only sometime in the 1980s that the concept really took off, with a few of the taller

A wine lover's guide to Malaga

By Alan Hazel on May 24, 2017 in Europe, Food and Drink, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

The history of wine in the Andalusian province of Malaga tells a story of the Moscatel de Alejandria grape variety, the oldest unadulterated strain in existence today. Cultivation of this grape for sweet wine began in Malaga some 3,000 years ago, brought to the region by the Phoenicians from Alexandria, Egypt. The Phoenicians, Romans and even

Celebrate gastronomy with pre-summer sun in Andalusia

By Alan Hazel on Apr 17, 2017 in Attractions, Events, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Andalusia is already enjoying temperatures upwards of 30ºC this Easter weekend, which bodes well for those seeking some spring sunshine ahead of summer. The season from April through June is undoubtedly the best time to visit the region, when the hillsides are positively bursting with spring wild flowers and greenery, and the temperatures are simply

Expanding luxury horizons in Malaga, Spain

By Alan Hazel on Mar 15, 2017 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

If 2016 saw a burst of luxury developments for the Andalusian port city of Malaga in Spain, 2017 is shaping up to continue apace. With a stellar increase in Michelin rated restaurants, two new world class museums in the Russian Museum and Pop-up Pompidou, increased port facilities hosting the world’s largest cruise ships, and yet

Celebrate Spring in Andalusia

By Alan Hazel on Feb 17, 2017 in Europe, Events, Leisure Travel, Regions, Spain, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Winter never seems to linger long in Andalusia. With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Andalusia claims the sunniest spot in Europe and it often feels like Spring is the longest season of all. The warm weather contributes to the virtually endless string of festivals throughout the year, which always kicks off with

Spain's Stonehenge - the heart and soul of Andalusia in ancient Antequera

By Alan Hazel on Jan 18, 2017 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Little known outside of Andalusia until recently, the ancient city of Antequera in Malaga province has gained a lot of international recognition of late. Much of this renewed attention comes thanks to the Antequera Dolmens Site being awarded a UNESCO World Heritage designation in July of 2016; however, the town has held strategic importance for

Top 10 museums in Malaga, Spain

By Alan Hazel on Dec 22, 2016 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

Over the past ten years, the Malaga council spent more than €100m on the arts and cultural developments in the city. No more is Malaga known only for its bustling Mediterranean port, beaches, sunshine and tapas; the city now emerges as the cultural capital of Andalusia with an art scene rivaling Madrid and Barcelona. With

10 exciting ways to pass the Winter in Andalusia

By Alan Hazel on Nov 16, 2016 in Attractions, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Regions, Spain, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

Andalusia may be best known for its sweeping beaches and seemingly endless summer sun, long serving as a haven for those wishing to soak up some reliable rays. This reputation is well founded; however, even throughout the winter there is no shortage of fascinating and exciting things to do. And with the best climate in

5 unique culinary products to sample on your next Andalusian tour

By Alan Hazel on Oct 16, 2016 in Europe, Food and Drink, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

The cuisine of Andalusia, and particularly Malaga province, has been on the ascendant for years already. An ever increasing number of Michelin stars adorn restaurants across the region and the ubiquitous, traditional tapas have been elevated from a simple snack food served free with a drink to an experience in itself. Some of these artful

A very Andalusian UNESCO tour

By Alan Hazel on Sep 15, 2016 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

With an undeniably rich history and cultural legacy, Spain holds more UNESCO World Heritage designations that all but two countries in the world. Of the total 44 designations within Spain, the southernmost region of Andalusia is home to seven of these, second only to the largest region in Spain, Castile y Leon. While Andalusia is

Top Andalucian harvest festivals this Autumn

By Alan Hazel on Aug 20, 2016 in Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

In the southern-most Spanish region of Andalucia, local festivals and celebrations seem nearly as abundant as the summer sun. There’s virtually no end to them across all seasons and the residents of Andalucia are particularly known for their flamboyant displays, warm openness, and a knack for partying all through the night. Some festivals, such as the

The cheerful chiringuitos of Malaga, Spain

By Alan Hazel on Jul 15, 2016 in Bars, Europe, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Western Europe

Time generally passes slowly in Andalucia, which is perhaps why so many people flock to the pastoral hills and shimmering shores of this southern most region of Spain for rest and relaxation in the seemingly endless sunshine. The blazing summer sun inches unhurriedly across the sky with the pace that for many has come to

Turning Japanese in Malaga, Spain

By Alan Hazel on Jun 16, 2016 in Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

The culinary scene in Malaga has been on the ascendancy for years already, with more and more Michelin stars each season and increasing international attention. With some of the busiest fishing ports in all of the Mediterranean, Andalusia’s Malaga province, on the southern most Spanish coast, has a long established culinary tradition of super fresh

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