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...

There are two great cities of the world called Cordoba; one in Argentina and the one from which it takes its name in Spain. The Spanish city has a history stretching back to pre-Christian Spain and evidence is all around. the obvious place to start is at its very heart and the cathedral. Spain is blessed with many fine cathedrals in its great cities but Cordoba has got to be her most stunning, certainly from the inside. Its known as the Mezquita . Here the moorish influence is there for all to see and it is easy to see how the Christian conquerors sited their cathedral upon the existing mosque. The fusion is astonishing as you in both Africa and Europe all at one. Close by is the Spanish Riding School at the Royal Stables which puts on fantastic shows demonstrating great horsemanship. It is possible to visit the stables and meet the horses and their grooms. More information here on the  Royal Stables . Cordoba has many other fine attractions in ...

It is quite some time since I was last in the largest of the Balearic islands, Mallorca. There are so many places in the world to visit I had left it alone after spending so many of my holidays there 20-30 years ago. I was interested to discover how the island had changed and whether it had kept some of the charms which so appealed to me all those years ago. My destination was a farmhouse in Son Carrio close to Manacor abd the holiday resorts which cluster around Cala Millor.  Sa Riba, Son Carrio  . A wise choice as it transpired. The farmhouse catered for two people (a third if needed) comfortably. It was well equipped and even had a well. I have never had that before.  It was well situated for the unfinished railway line which these days offers a perfect route to run or cycle towards Manacor or Arte. I did both but not to the full extent of the track.  One of my desires for this trip though was to complete a journey I had hitherto failed to accomplish...

Sitting on a gorge created by the Jucar river system the old town of Cuenca lies between Madrid and Valencia in the Castille-La Mancha province of Spain. It is a famous for the hanging houses, a number of recently renovated properties that sit at the very edge of the gorge.  There are in fact two Cuencas, the old town and the very much bigger new town. For many staying in the old town where the hanging houses and the cathedral is situated, the prefered choice of accommodation is the Parador. This is situated by a spectacular wooden walkway adjacent to the old town across the gorge. It is well signed as you enter the town by car and parking is available as it an open-air swimming pool. Parador-de-cuenca The Parador, in keeping with tradition, is situated in a former notable building. In this case it is a former convent dating back to the middle ages. It is relatively inexpensive but not cheap. Prices vary around the time of your stay and the area of the hot...

In Britain and the United States Easter passes with a nod to its symbolism and after a brief holiday return to work. However in Southern Europe and particularly in Spain it is a time of reverence.  Easter week or Semana Santa is a significant time in the country. This also manifests itself as a celebration and the city of Lorca, in Murcia puts on one of the greatest shows, of many, in Spain. Over two nights, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday a four hour procession takes place. This is part religious ceremony and a re-telling of biblical tales. hence the number of people who dress up in Roman costume and, for me, the highlight of the show, chariots racing down the main street. I have tried to capture the excitement with these two short videos. It is obvious that nothing quite captures the drama of six horses pulling a speeding chariot or carruaje, as they are known in Spanish, along a main thoroughfare but I hope you get a sense of the occasion. I hope that y...

The one thing about travelling to southern Spain in December is that you will not be trampled under foot by hoards of tourists. Whilst many of the seaside attractions like ice-cream parlours and seasonal shops are closed there is something about an autumn Spain you can not find in the summer. That is the light. Due to the abstract nature of this phenomenon it is difficult to describe in words. Gone is the searing heat and haze of the summer to be replaced by a gentler sun casting a calmer  and often diffused light over the countryside.  Out to sea the clouds dance and cavort in ever changing shapes and sizes with shafts of sunshine penetrating through. Often they look like giant Alps resting on the sea's horizon and at other times giant waves threatening to overwhelm all before it. Then comes sunset and this being autumn the cloud formations present a giant canvas on which the sun can create its finest abstract. For an intense period of maybe 15 minutes ...

Ornate Work Sagrada Família Sagrada Família Ceiling Sagrada Família Windows The other focal point of a trip to Barcelona is the Sagrada Família the city's astonishing new cathedral which is still under construction a century after it was started. In recent years the main basilica has been covered but at least another ten towers are yet to be completed if Antonio Gaudi's vision is to be realised. A provisional completion date of 2026 has been targeted. Do not bet on it. Paid entry can be obtained by turning up and queuing at the cathedral which has its own metro station. However it is possible, for a small additional fee, to select your time and book ahead online using a credit card. This was our choice rather than spend two hours of our valuable holiday time sweltering in the summer sun. The basilica is simply stunning. It has all the grandeur of a medieval grand church like Seville, Notre Dame, Paris or York Minster but with a style and flourish un...