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Welcome to CONTACT, the LETTERS & HELP section of TUSPAIN. If you would like to
comment on the content of TUSPAIN or possibly you have some suggestions for future articles, please let us know and we will do our best to include the information. Please note that we receive a great deal of mail each week and though we do our best to answer as many as possible
we cannot reply to each one personally. Why not try posting your message in our TALK tuSPAIN forum and let our other visitors help you.
Visit the forum for Spain @
FEBRUARY WEATHER?
I would like to know if the weather in malaga around the 20th of feburary is warm enough
to sun bathe
what would the expected temeratures be at that time?
The weather in Feb should be improving but who knows? This winter has
been extremely wet!!!
Even now when the sun comes out in the afternoons you could sunbathe in
a sheltered spot so in February it is pefectly possible! The temp would
probably be around 20c. Although warmer in direct sun.
Enjoy your trip.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
I'll be visiting Spain in February and March and would like to know
about the public transportation system in Spain. We will be staying
in Malaga but think that we'd also like to travel up to Girona ... is
this possible to do by bus or train as we're not interested in renting
and driving a car.
Is there a web page on the net that has extensive information on
your transportation system.
Actually, public transportation is really very good in Spain. You will
not have any trouble getting north from Malaga. There are plenty of
buses, trains and planes from the city. Check out Air Europa who are a
new cheap airline doing domestic flights. They only charge 9000 pesetas
(one way) from any point in Spain to any other point (and London &
Paris from Madrid/Barcelona!). Check out their website (see the search
engines). Also RENFE (the rail company) have a web site, though being a
state monopoly, I doubt if they would bother with important things like
a timetable! Getting timetable information for public transport
(especially in Andalucia) is very difficult! They do not seem to even
publish "paper" timetables, never mind on the web! Im sorry but all I
can say is surf the web and find other Spanish sites that might have
this info. As I said, there are direct services to Madrid and Barcelona
every day from the south and then it will be an easy connection for
Girona.
If you do find a site offering transport timetables, please let me know
and we will include a link in tuspain.
Embassy of Mexico
I´m a mexican citizen, i live in Morelia, Michoacan, i represent a Local Newspapper,
I´m looking for the Mexican Embassy in Spain, i wonder if you help me giving me the e-mail or the
internet adress (WEB)
The Embassy of Mexico is at Plaza Castellana, 93, MADRID. Tel. +34 (9)1
5562811/ 5562895 sorry we do not have any email addresses.
House Rental
I am interested in renting a property from May 5 until August 31 (Or any
large portion thereof.) I will be on sabbatical with my family. My wife and
twin 10 year olds are looking for a place we can call home while I am working
on my doctoral dissertation. How much would we pay per week for a long stay
such as this and what weeks do you have available? Please respond as soon as
you can. We had another place and it fell through! Thanks very much,
ARCHAEOLOGIST SEEKS INFORMATION...
I am an archaeologist researching some
artifacts found on a Spanish shipwreck in Florida waters that dates to
1715. Among the artifacts recovered were two rings with similar
inscriptions. The rings were made of gold, but were stylistically
simple. They had similar inscriptions with what I think are
abbreviations for words. I think they may be Spanish words rather than
Greek or Latin. The three words that the rings share in common are "DIA
BIZ SAB". Both rings also have several lone "Z" inscriptions. The words
are separated by cross symbols. If you have any information regarding
this or know of anyone who does, I would appreciate it if you could let
me know. Thank you in advance for any information you
might have, and thank you for your time. contact:
TAFFI abt@iu.net
See related feature
INFORMATION ON ARTIST JIMENEZ GOMEZ
I am seeking information on the artist "Jimenez Gomez". I own two
gold leaf paintings by this artist done in 1975 of locations in the
city of Seville. These paintings were probably purchased in or
around the Rota/Cadiz/Seville area during that same time frame.
CONTACH@gnn.com
LOST FRIENDS - SEVILLA
Deseo encontrar amistades que conoci en Sevilla durante los anos
1958-60. Los mas conocidos fueron de apellidos Marti Morillo,
especialmente Maria del Rosario Martin Morillo. Por favor, si alguna
persona los conoce, hacer contacto conmigo en Jose@erols.net o
Tel/FAX 703-437-6083. Quedare muy agradecido.
LOST FRIENDS - MADRID
I am trying to locate old friends from GETAFE (nr.Madrid).
My name is Witek, I was born in Poland but now permanently
live in Sydney. My mother and I lived in Madrid/Getafe
between 10.05.85 and 28.08.86.
I attended Fifth Grade(5b) at "Gabriel Garcia Marquez".
These are some of the people i am looking for:
- Castor Rivero;
- Nuria Sanchez Gonzalez;
- El profe Maniega Alonso (de Zamora);
- Emilio,Miguel Angel,Mari Sol,Mari Paz,Paquita,
Sandra,Jesus,Jerillo,Raquel i los otros de 5b
que me olvide;
- Victor ? ,el profe de 5a.
Any contacts in Getafe which/who could help wold also be
greatly appreciated.
Peter Skonieczny skonbros@mpx.com.au
Jose Gutierrez
Solana - Research
I am researching the life and work of Spanish painter Jose Gutierrez
Solana (1886-1945). ANY sources (net sites, books, journals, libraries)
would be most appreciated. Thank you so very much.
Terrell F. Solana
P.O. Box 6107
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
USA.
Please reply directly to: sol@gulfsurf.infi.net
TRAVEL TO GRANADA
I am a planning to travel to Granada this summer.Is Parador de Granada the only
national parador in Alhambra palace? Would you inform me of the price
of which staying at this hotel for one day and night and the method of
renting a safe car? Thank you!
Yes there is only the one Parador at the Alhambra. The other hotel nearby
is the Alhambra Palace, just down from the Alhambra. It really is not a
patch on the Parador as it is a modern pink monstrosity and I consider
looks totally out of place for its environment!
Additional Information regarding this enquiry:
The Nerja Parador is quite nice. It is not a historic building like some of
the other Paradors. It was a former military barracks (like many other
Paradors were) and turned into a hotel by the government. The building is
probably about c1960´s. The setting is very nice, high up on a cliff
overlooking the sea. It is ideal for swimming as there is a large pool in a
very nice tropical garden plus the sea is just a private lift from the
hotel garden onto the beach. The beach is public and will be very busy at
this time of the year. The hotel is just two stories if I remember
correctly.
The buses from Granada are at the following times: 09.00, 10.15, 16.00,
17.00. The journey takes by bus about 2 hours. The telephone number of the
bus company (Alsina Graells) is +34 (9)58 251358/50.
The major car hire companies have offices in the arrivals hall at Granada
airport, this really is your best bet rather than going for a local
company, they should also all be able to speak English. With the major
companies you could always arrange to leave the car at another airport or
city.
I forgot to mention the Jaen Parador (Tel. +34 (9)53 230000 or Fax.
230930) which is north of Granada, about 1 1/2 hours by car. The hotel is
in a beautiful old castle which overlooks the city, the nightly rate is
around 16.500 for a double room. You could then head west towards Cordoba
and Seville or East towards the beautiful national park at Cazorla which
also has a Parador in the middle of the park (Tel. +34 (9)53 727075/ Fax.
727077), the rate is 12.500 per night.
The Parador is very expensive, 28.500 pesetas for a double room! They
have very limited space (38 rooms) and are always well booked up. Their
phone number is +34 (9)58 221440 or fax +34 (9)58 222264. It really is a
beautiful place but at this time of the year extremely busy, so it
depends if you want to be in a hotel in the middle of a very touristy
area.
Just down from the Parador and Alhambra is a hostal called Hostal
America, Tel. +34 (9)58 227471 or fax. +34 (9)58 227470. It is a really
nice typical one star hostal with beautiful patio. The rate there is
10.000 pesetas a night! Again it is always very busy, so you may be too
late booking up now!
Otherwise, I am afraid if you are looking for a typical old hotel with
character you will be out of luck in Granada. The majority are modern
which is really a shame. In the city itself, room rates are
around 10.000 - 18.000 pesetas for a reasonable 3/4 star hotel.
Regarding car rental. All the major car rental companies are here - Avis,
Hertz, Europcar, usually the cheapest method is to buy a car hire package
before you leave home as they always charge more at this end. Day rate
for a small car from Avis is around 20.000 pesetas although the smaller
local companies will be cheaper. If you need it, I can email you a list
of companies. Are you flying into Granada/Malaga or coming by some other
transport?
I hope this helps and do enjoy your trip to Granada.
The nearest Parador to Granada is Nerja on the Costa del Sol (about
a 1 1/2 hour drive away)
HOSTAL - MALAGA?
Which hostal , max 8000 pts, do you suggest nearby malaga airport? I
arrive late at night, together with my bike, so..
many thanks!
Roy
We cannot give you the name of a specific hostal as we do not have personal
knowledge of any of them in that area.
There are really no hostals around the airport, you will probably have to
head into Málaga (a 10 min taxi) or Torremolinos (about the same). I
suggest you look over our hotels listing as hostals are included in it. You
should be able to find something for well under 8000 pts there (probably
about 3-4000pts).
Sorry we cannot be more helpful.
Enjoy your trip!
BUYING AN APARTMENT
Is there any special laws connected in buying apartments or houses in
the Canary islands region?
There are certain aspects on a foreign investment procedure that differ from the Peninsula, but those are basically related to the taxation, which is
considerably lower in the Canary Islands (they are not subject to our Value
added Tax system, etc...). The advantages are quite considerable in cases of
investments through a company.
There are no specific restrictions, if that is what you had in mind.
Emilio Pinto, Lawyer, Marbella. 100547.2054@CompuServe.com
CAREER AS INTERPRETER
I am a high school student. I am very
interested in becoming an interpreter. Could you tell what
qualifications I need to do this. I have already taken 1 year of Spanish
in high school and plan to take 2 more. I also visited Mexico this
summer. I was planning to go to college and study interpreting and get a
major in Spanish. Do you know of any other things I can do to help
myself learn Spanish? Or any volunteering I could do to practice
interpreting? Or could you give me some advise of things that I should
do to achive my goal of becoming an interpreter.
Thanks!
dunkle@bright.net
Any advice?
CADIZ HOSPITAL
I am trying to locate a hospital in Cadiz, Spain... It's called Hospital de
Mora (I think). ANY information -- even a phone number -- would be much
appreciated.
Email RPCJD@aol.com. Thanks.
If anyone knows the details of this hospital, please email directly
BARCELONA JAZZ
I've heard that there is a jazz festival in Barcelona in September.
Could you possibly point me in the direction of more information?
Emma
Can anyone help here?
PONCHO CABALLERO
I lived in Southern Spain from 1978 to 1981 and really liked a liquor
called "Ponche Caballero". I would like to know if if can be purchased in
the states???? Please let me know. We also like "Manchego cheese and
other spanish foods. Thank you for your help.
CRW, California Maryland.
Try La Espanola, Inc. They are at 25020 Dobie Av., Harbor City, CA 90710 and their phone number is (310) 539-0455.
They accept mail orders, and actually are quite good. You can buy things like
Jamon serrano, queso Manchego, Chorizo Bilbao, turron, aceitunas, etc).
The wine is unavailable in Maryland. I also doubt California. If its sold here
its in either NYC or possibly Boston. As for the cheese, its sold at Sutton
Place Gourmet (1-410-484-5501). I'm not sure where in Maryland that they are
looking but the cheese can probably be found in gourmet delis in the
Baltimore-Washington, DC region. There is probably a Spanish resturant or two in
DC. There are not many sources of Spanish foods in either CA or MD mainly
because the Spanish populations are very small.
RENATA TARRAGO?
I am trying to locate the address/telephone number/e-mail of the great
Spanish Classical Guitarist Renata Tarrago.
Someone said that he believed she was still teaching at a university in
Spain, perhaps somewhere in Barcelona. She still may be actively
concertizing as well.
I would be very much in your debt if you could locate her whereabouts
for me.
Can anyone help?
SAN SEBASTIAN VISIT
I am visiting San Sebastian, Spain soon. Where are the great places
to stay in the Old Quarter on the shore?
I´m afraid none of us here are very familiar with Sab Sebastian. we can
give you a list of hotels/hostals but as to which area they are in we do
not know! Maybe some of our readers can help.
The tourist office phone number is +34 (9)43 426282 &423180.
MORE FOOD!
I love your new site.
Good luck on the future development of the site. I am particularly
interested in the food section you mentioned. Could you keep my
address on file and send me a message when it is up and running? I'll
keep checking in on your site, but I don't want to miss it.
Thanks,
Gabriel L. Aparicio
ps. Are you aware of any Spanish groups in the LA area?
Our cocina section is now open, find it at http://tuspain.com/cocina/cocina.htm
Can any of our readers assist with Spanish groups in LA area?
HOTELS - NERJA
I have a couple of questions maybe you can help me with.
Can you recommend any hotels to stay in in Nerja? I will be visiting
there the week of 8 Jul through 13 Jul?
Do you know if there is a store that will rent mountain bikes?
Bill Takacs
Probably the best hotel and most expensive is the Parador, which is one
of the national chain of government run hotels. It has beautiful grounds
and is on a cliff overlooking the Med. Prices are from 13.500 - 16.500
pesetas for a double room in peak season.
Hotel Monica is a modern hotel very close to the sea. This is more
a package tours type hotel, prices range from 11.500 - 15.500 pesetas per
day.
Balcon de Europa, is right on the promenade facing the sea in the centre
of the town. 9.750 - 13.700 pesetas.
Nerja Club, On the main Almeria road out of Nerja, slight distance from
sea, but nearer Nerja Caves. 6.825 - 10.725 pesetas.
Fontainebleau, a pensíon in the centre of the town, popular with the
"Brits", British bar etc. 3.900 - 5.500 pesetas.
For full list see below.
Re. Mountain bike hire try Michael at +34 (9)5 2 523966, he is a
hairdresser but hires bikes from the centre of Nerja.
I have stayed at both the Parador and Monica and would recommend the
former, but this of course depends on your budget.
Nerja Hotels:
- **** Parador de Nerja
Almuñécar, 8. 29780. Tel: 2520050 Fax: 2521997.
- **** Mónica
Playa Torrecilla, s/n. 29780. Tel: 2521100 Fax: 2521162.
- *** Balcón de Europe
P. Balcón de Europa, 1. 29780. Tel: 2520800 Fax: 2524490.
- *** Nerja Club
Ctra. Almeria, 293km. 29780. Tel: 2520100 Fax: 2522608.
- *** Perla Marina
Mérida, 7. 29780. Tel: 2523350 Fax: 2524083.
- *** Playa de Maro
Apdo. 7. 29787. Tel: 2529598 Fax:2529622.
- *** Plaza Cavana
Pza. Cavana, 10. 29780. Tel: 2524000 Fax: 2524008.
- *** Villa Flamenca
Urb. Nueva Nerja. 29780. Tel: 2523200 Fax: 2522196.
- ** Al Andalus
Ladera del Aguila, 1. Tel: 2421621.
- ** Paraiso del Mar
Prolongación de Carabeo 22. 29780. Tel: 2521621 Fax: 2522509.
- * Cala Bella
Puerta del Mar, 10. Tel: 2520700.
- * Portofino
Puerta del Mar, 2. Tel: 2520150.
- ** Avalón
Urb. Punta Lara, s/n. 29780. Tel: 2520698 Fax: 2520698.
- ** Azahara
Avda. Pescia, 1. 29780. Tel: 2520426.
- ** El Chaparil
Apdo. 60. 29780. Tel: 2524708.
- ** Don Peque
Diputación Provincial, 13. Tel: 2521318.
- ** Estrella del Mar
Bellavista, 5. 29780. Tel: 25204621.
- ** Fountainbleau
Alejandro Bueno, 5. 29780. Tel: 2520939.
- ** Nerjasol
Arropiero, 4. 29780. Tel: 2522221.
Look out for our full hotels listing of popular tourist destinations soon in TUSPAIN!
Hi, hope that you can help
I need a flight from Alicante to Dublin
on the 20th/21st July returning 3rd/4th August.
If not Dublin, then a UK airport with links to Dublin.
The travel companies here & UK will only book Dublin-Alicante.
Iberia charge IRL240 for Dublin-Alicante return
but IRL360 for Alicante-Dublin - so do you know of any charters?
I intend to drive with my family to Benidorm for six weeks
but I only have four weeks holidays from work,
hence my need to return for the middle two weeks!
thanks
Clement McGann
Here are some Costa Blanca travel agent phone numbers that might be able
to arrange a flight for you. You could probably buy the ticket when you
arrive here:
SERVITOUR offers a return from Murcia (San Javier airport) to Dublin for
35.100 pesetas, weekly on a Monday. Duration is unlimited. Tel. 902 100
737 (from in Spain) or Malaga +34 (9)5 2048292, 2048313, 2048294,
2048302.
AIRJET - Tel Alicante +34 (9)6 5682608, Benidorm 6808787
IDEAL TOURS - Benidorm - 5857512
CASTLE TRAVEL - Benidorm - 5863042
VIAJES LAINTOUR - (9) 6 6705891 (Judith Mills) Fax. 5715111
LINEMAR - (9) 6 6461918
Sorry, I cannot help you with email numbers on any of these.
May I suggest you check ot the Costa Blanca News web site at
http://www.ctv.es/prysma/cbnews/
Thanks for your reply - I got a seat on the Monday flight, San Javier to Dublin
-Just a curiosity - your price was 35,100 pesetas, I'm paying IRL199,
(the Irish pound is more than the UK pound and about 200 pesetas)
When I queried the price the answer was - it's a different market.
But not to worry - at least I'm travelling
No need to reply - I won't be here to reply (or visit tuSpain) -
I'll be en route to Spain, leaving Wednesday
thanks again - keep up the good tuSpain work
Clement McGann
Have you any information on environmental issues in Spain?
thank you.
Take a look at our environmental feature.
Hi:
I don't know whether my question lies within the ambit of your
WEBpage, but perhaps you can help.
I am planning on having a phone installed in our casita in Mojacar,
and I would like to be able to connect with Telefonica in Almeria,
if possible, via e-mail. Do you know of any email addresses which I
could use?
Secondly, do you know of any specific information about the price of
installation, monthly fees, etc.?
Another question I have is:
What would be the best (i.e., cheapest) way of maintaining a
connection with the Internet, more or less specifically for the
sending and receiving of email, from the village of Mojacar, in
Almeria?
I am afraid Telefonica although more efficient than they used to be are
still by no means terribly client friendly yet. Hopefully next year if
they are deregulated and have competition, things will improve!
Email addresses I would think are a no go! One has a difficult enough
time dealing with them face to face, so I am sure they will not want to
make things easier for the poor customer! You could try checking out the
Telefonica web site for emails, but I doubt if you will have any luck.
I cannot even give you the address in Almeria as they do not like to
promote addresses in case someone might find them and try to make them
work for their money! The route we have always taken (if you are out of
Spain) is to get in touch
with your local Gestor in Mojacar and get them to handle the
installation. We do have some info on such things in our "Nerja" section
which will apply country-wide. I have located a Granada telephone number
which may help it is +34 (9)58 245551/245552, you will of course need to
speak some Spanish.
Installation cost is around 20.000 pesetas and rental is around
2.000 per 2 months. Mobile phone installation is much, much easier. Any
phone shop can supply and have you connected within a couple of hours.
Installation is about 11.000 with rental at around 2.000 per month.
Mobiles are more efficient as Telefonica have competition from Airtel
(they are on the web try airtel.es).
Regarding your net connection, your cheapest method is to get the Infovía
software from Telefonica. This comes on CDROM and is available from one
of their commercial offices. Do not bother asking for it at their normal
public counter, they will not have a clue! It is free, and they will
probably ask a few market research questions (for what reason I do not
know!)and install in your pc. This will then give you access to a huge
number of net providers around Spain as your call rate is only 139
pesetas an hour peak rate, which is great value! Providers rates range
from around 2.000 to 5.000 pesetas a month for unlimited access. Just
look in the web under companies like jet.es or servicom.es and you will
get the rates. The Telefonica Infovia site probably also has providers
details.
Also try also sending an email to The Entertainer newspaper, they are
based in Mojacar and should have local knowledge.
(www.tcom.co.uk/online/)
Por favor seria tan amables, de enviar mas informacions sobre pisos
venta en costa del Sol.
Can anyone assist?
You have information about houses for sale. I would like to know if
you have information about houses to rent. I am currently in the
Air Force, and my family and I will be stationed at Moron AB. I would
like to know if there are any rentals in the surrounding area. Thank you.
James Gilliam
Can anyone suggest a contact for house rentals in this area of Seville?
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