Roses in Rosaleda Ramón Ortiz, Madrid

Let me share with you pictures of some beautiful roses from  the Rose Garden “Rosaleda Ramón Ortiz” on the edge of Madrid´s Parque del Oeste, which Ron and I visited yesterday. Every year they hold a contest in Madrid for the best rose. The public is invited to come and view the roses in the competition and an expert jury comes in to choose the winners. After a winner has been chosen, that plant is given a special place with a little plaque in the garden. You can, of course, visit the Rosaleda at any point during the year, although it is best to go in May, and the entrance is free to the public.

 

 

 

The gardens themselves are not very big, but there is a wide variety of roses. In this Rosaleda (Rose gardens), there are about 20,000 rose bushes, with about 600 varieties of modern roses (I had no idea that there were so many different types and colors of roses). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is really a fun place to visit specially in the morning of a sunny, spring day like it was yesterday.  Surprisingly the sun presented itself with a halo with just the right brilliance to capture the gorgeous pinks, oranges and reds of the flowers.

There were several places to snap the perfect photo in the midst of the blending colors of the roses, several with the most delicate fragrance.

   

 

 

 

 

It is surely an artist´s playground. Overall, the gardens have a relaxing effect, especially as you sit under the canopy of green vines on one of the long benches contemplating the natural beauty, or anywhere else in the midst of the perfumed roses.

It has several fountains and a lily pond.

 

Although the Rose gardens might not be as well known or as frequented as the Botanical Garden located next to the Prado Museum, it has its own charm.  Whether you are a rose enthusiast, or just want to read a book in the shade or want to get a perfect photo, this place will be a peaceful  haven for you.

George William Curtis.- 

"The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose". 

For me, a rose is a gift to the senses. 

Glamping in Spain

It is vacation time again, and glamping becomes popular. Two concepts that seem to be contrary like "camping" and "glamour" have been joined together to make way for "glamping" a perfect mix for nature, conveniences, respect for the environment and elegance. See below some of the glamping sites in Spain.  Source: Ocholeguas.com by Patricia Osuna.

The Hoopoe Yurt Hotel. This hotel has five yurts, a circular, domed, portable tent used by nomadic peoples of central Asia located in Cortes de Frontera (Málaga). Each one is decorated in  differently, provided with private bathroom, hot showers and ecologic toilet.  They offer continental  breakfast and lunch with  Spanish or Italian bread sandwiches, plate of cheese or cold cuts and salads.  And for dinner under the stars, they prepare ingredients from their vegetable garden or of local produce.  Cost:  120 euros per night and yurt and breakfast included.   For more information, visit: www.yurthotel.com

The Jaima.  In the Marnes Rural Refuge House (Alicante) they have installed a real beduin tent, decorated luxuriously and equipped with kitchen and bathroom.  With capacity for four people, the guests can enjoy a wide area of 20 hectares of own land to take a walk.  Cost: from 395 €/week.  For more information, visit:

www.tienda-campana-de-lujo.com.

Another world.   Just by looking at the photos of the lodging in the  Sierra del Segura (Albacete) one realizes that its name meets it to a "T".  Two eco domes decorated with a retro chic style and equipped with an ecologic bathroom, a small kitchen and shower (water is heated by solar energy)  are all that is needed to be able to disconnect completely from routine.  Cost:  between 60 to 80€.   For more information, visit: www.otro-mundo.com

Laila's House. Sophisticated and with an Arab touch, this eco retreat situado  in the Valle del Guadalhorce, with views of the Andalucian town of Alhaurín el Grande, offers five cozy tents (2/3 occupants per tent) equipped with comfortable beds and pillows, rugs, with sheep leather on the floor, beddings and towels, electricity, wifi, outside kitchen, swimming pool, showers with hot water...  Cost:  30€ per person/night.  (includes breakfast).  For more information, visit: www.casadelaila.es

Finca Siete Puertas.  Only one hour from the  Costa del Sol, in El Valle del Guadiaro, we can find another example of glamping.  In the middle of the garden with trees of quince, apricots, peaches, figs and almonds, they have constructed three yurts with a small swimming pool to cool off during the summer months and with a barbecue.  The lodging is situated by the doors of the natural parks of Grazalema and  Alcornocales and beside the Cañada del Real Tesoro.  Cost: 60 €/night (includes breakfast). For more information, visit: www.yurtsinspain.com.

The above are only some of the glamping sites in Spain, for more sites, visit: Ocholeguas.com.

Holy Week Celebration in the world

Spain celebrates Easter Week much more than most European countries. During the whole of Semana Santa, (Holy Week), street processions are organised in most Spanish towns each evening, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

People carry statues of saints around on floats or wooden platforms, and an atmosphere of mourning - which can seem quite oppressive to onlookers - and the Easter week processions end with Easter Sunday, a day full of light and colour when church and cathedral bells are heard ringing throughout the country.

In some of the processions, marchers wear clothes reminiscent of the klu klux klan. Infact their clothes are meant to depict the Nazareños, people from Nazareth. The religious fraternities and brotherhoods are responsable for carrying the statues and organising the penitents and musicians. The Nazareños follow the people who carry the floats bearing sculptures and models of biblical scenes.
The people who carry the weight of the floats are called "costaleros" and are expected the carry these "thrones" with solemnity and grace. They use a small cushion, "costal" to protect themselves from getting sores from the wood rubbing against their skin during the long processions.
The most famous Easter celebrations are held in various Andalusian towns, Valladolid, Toledo, Segovia, Burgos, Zamora and Cuenca.
Source of text:    Euroresidents.  Source of images:  El País.

Here are some photos of the celebration.

Triana Bridge, Seville

Alhambra, Granada

Malaga

Penitent, Seville