Podworld - Exploring interesting places

A cold misty March day It has become one of the most talked about television dramas and across Europe tourists flock to the locations where it has been filmed. Game of Thrones is a medieval fantasy conceived by George RR Martin about dynasties, wars and mythical beats. From Iceland to Croatia fans of the show travel to look for themselves what represents the Wall and Kings lLanding. The drama's producers have also filmed extensively in Spain and its about one of their locations I have a particular interest in. This is the castle of Peniscola, about a one hour 15 minute drive north of Valencia. My interest in the castle was stimulated initially not by Game of Thrones, but by a previous production filmed half a century earlier. The movie "El Cid" starring Sofia Loren and Charlton Heston was filmed extensively around the castle and, what was then, an undeveloped sea front. See the difference in the stone work The story goes that when Hollywood was scouti...

The Easter holiday week is the most important period in the Spanish Christian calendar. From the northern most villages to the Andalucian south, Easter week, or Semana Santa, is celebrated with a variety of parades and festivals. If you are in Spain during this period, you will find one close to you, probably based around a church or monastery. For this blog though we are going to focus on one of the biggest and most extravagant parades in the country. It takes place in the Murcian city of Lorca. The main street through the centre, Av. Juan Carlos I,  is lined with terraces of seats for the parade which takes place on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday as the sun sets. It is advisable to book your seats in advance with the most expensive to the front and the cheapest towards the rear. The street is split into white and blue ( blanco y azul ) and where you sit depends upon where you purchase the ticket from (see links.) Prepare then of a parade which combines an historic re...