Spain's Sporting Success

Whether it's the wonderful climate, Spaniards' innate self confidence or simply exceptional coaching, Spain is one of the world's leading sporting nations and, with Madrid having recently emerged as one of the favourites to host the 2016 Olympic Games, it seems there has never been a better time to embrace sport the Spanish way.

While the failings of Spain's national football team are well documented (they are yet to win a major football tournament), the selección, as they are known, rarely fail to qualify for the big tournaments (unlike all of the Home Nations for the forthcoming Euro 2008) and are often among the favourites to win. Their time will surely come. However, football-mad as Spain may be, the country can still call upon a number of other sporting heroes as testaments to Spain's enduring sporting success.

Had Britain's Lewis Hamilton not choked on the final Formula 1 race of the 2006-7 season, Spain would no longer be able to boast the youngest ever Formula 1 World Champion. But choke he did and, as it stands, Spain's Fernando Alonso retains that accolade, for another season at least. In tennis, with the Swiss Roger Federer sweeping all before him, only one man can ever seriously hope to stand in his way - Majorca's Rafael Nadal. In fact, on a clay surface it is Nadal, not Federer, who is held up as THE man to beat.

Likewise in Basketball - a sport played passionately throughout the globe - it is Spain, not the USA, who are world champions, led by the towering, talented and charismatic Pau Gasol, whose face adorns everything from credit cards to cheese snacks. There are numerous other fields where Spain competes at the highest level, such as volleyball, hockey, handball, water polo and superbikes. And the last two winners of the Tour de France? That's right, Spaniards - Oscar Pereiro and Alberto Contador. With three Spaniards ranked among the top 10 male tennis players in the world, the argument is irrefutable - Spain produces exceptional sportsmen and women. But how?

A combination of national pride, an inviting climate, excellent facilities and supreme self confidence ensures young Spaniards are given a head start in almost any sport. Still riding high off the back of the successful 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the whole nation has embraced sport and seen the benefits it can bring, be they physically, emotionally or financially. Should Spain be awarded the Olympic Games for only the second time in its history, other nations should watch out - there might just be no stopping them!

If you are sports mad and are travelling to Spain, you really will be spoilt for choice for things to do. Kids are especially well catered for - take a look at the links below to see which sporting activities are available in your region.

* Madrid will be up against bids from Prague, Tokyo, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Doha and Baku in the race for the 2016 Olympics.

Cheap holiday car hire accident compensation claim in Spain and Europe

Did you know you can claim compensation in the UK after an accident in a holiday hire car in Spain? Most holidaymakers are unaware they can claim compensation at home if they have a hire car accident in Spain or the rest of Europe. Car accidents in hire cars in Spain are more common than you realise. If you have suffered a personal injury such as whiplash after a car accident in a hire car in Spain, take the driver´s details, the registration number of the vehicle involved in the accident, and make a police report.

Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors can help you claim compensation for personal injury if you have suffered a holiday car hire accident in Albania, Andorra, Spain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Lithuania, Jersey or any country in Europe.

Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors can help get you the compensation you deserve. We work on a no win no fee basis, you get 100% of the compensation and we even pay you €100.00 cash up front when we accept your claim. Call us free on 080001 54321 or fill in the online claim form. You can claim up to £16,000 for whiplash and up to £24,750 for a moderate back injury.

10 Things You Do Not Know About Spain - maybe ?

How well do you know Spain?

Have a look below and see how much you didn´t know!

1 Spain is the third biggest country in Europe after the Ukraine and France, and is also the second most mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland.

2 Spaniards speak four official languages. Castillian is what most people refer to as Spanish. Galician is spoken solely in the province of Galicia. Euskara is spoken in the Basque Country and Catalan is spoken in Catalonia.

3 With over 45 million inhabitants, Spain has the 6th largest population in Europe.

4 The Spanish climate varies widely. The north is cool and very cold in Winter, whereas the south is mild and very hot in summer. The capital Madrid, because of its central location, is one of the hottest cities in Spain during the summer and one of the coldest in winter.

5 The Kingdom of Spain once included the country of Portugal.

6 Spain ´owns´ the two north African cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

7 Madrid, Spain´s capital city, is the highest city in Europe. Madrid is 667 metres above sea level and is situated right in the centre of Spain.

8 Spain is the closest country to the continent of Africa. At its closest point, Andalucia is only 12 miles from the coast of Morocco in northern Africa.

9 Spain is the biggest producer of olive oil in the world. Over 44% of olive oil consumer worldwide comes from Spain, and it produces twice the amount of Italy and four times the amount Greece produces. The region of Jaén is the biggest producer of olive oil in Spain where over 25% of the country´s output is produced. This amounts to a staggering 10% of the world´s olive oil being produced in Jaén alone.

10 Over 45 million tourists visit Spain each year.

About us

Things2dospain.co.uk is a website about the best things to do in Spain. If you are looking for places to go, places to eat, discos, nightclubs, beaches, music festivals, events, places of interest, family fun days out, local ferias or even boutique hotels, you will find the information on things2do.Most importantly, we want to hear from you. Users of things2do can contribute content by contributing and adding reviews and articles. That way, we keep our finger on the pulse by getting up-to-date reviews from the people who matter most. You can also contribute to our blog, and promote your own business by sending us your details on the ´submit form´ on the site. You get free classified advertising and a free listing, and we will encourage readers to review and rate your business.

Cheap car hire in spain , prices as cheap as €50.00 per week ...click here

Albacete - things to do and see

The city of Albacete is the capital of its own province, and is situated in the southeast of Spain, within the autonomous region of Castilla de la Mancha, the land of Don Quijote. The name Albacete originates from the Arab word Al-Basit, which translated means The Plain. If you were to approach Albacete by car or train you would realise why.

What to do in Albacete

To spend a holiday in Albacete offers numerous possibilities for the tourist. Among the most interesting places to visit are the Cathedral of Albacete, the Provincial Museum next to the famous park, Parque de Abelardo Sánchez, and the Bullring, which has a seating capacity of 10,000 people. You can take a walk through the Passage of Lodares, which is one of the famous buildings adorned with many columns and figures, and with a ceiling of iron and glass.
Albacete is certainly famous for its annual fair (feria), which begins on the 7th of September, and continues until the 17th. It is the province’s largest fair in honour of the Virgen de los Llanos, the patroness saint of the city. The fair has been declared a National Tourist Interest, and dates back to the 14th century.


For everyday entertainment in Albacete, you can visit the numerous bars, pubs and discos found in the streets known as Calle Carretas, El Quijote and La Diligencia. For those that like to enjoy life a little easier, you can take a trip to the Natural Spring Baths, ( Baños de la Concepcion), located on the Ctra. Nacional 322, Km 423, in Villatoya. The water of this Spa was declared fit for public use in 1843 and since then people have enjoyed all sorts of hydro-therapies in its beautiful surroundings.

things2dospain is all you need to know about where to go and what to do in albacete , there are some very cheap Albacete car hire companies available in albacete and some very good traditional hotels you can stay at.

The Donkey Sanctuary – a great family day out.

El Refugio del Burrito is not only a safe haven for maltreated donkeys, it is also gives the visitors the chance to experience one of Andalucia´s most beautiful inland areas.

things to do in spain

Having rescued donkeys from all over Europe, this fascinating sanctuary at Fuente de la Piedra, has been rescuing and caring for donkeys since 2001, and is situated just 40 minutes north of Malaga. This traditional cortijo, complete with olive groves and traditional Andalucian buildings is close to the famous Flamingo Lake, which is the largest natural lake in the Iberian Peninsula, and home to over 170 bird species.

Visitors to the donkey sanctuary cannot fail to be impressed by the wonderful facilities at the centre, and the obvious care that is given to the animals. Many of them are rescued from terrible conditions in both Spain and the rest of Europe, and cases of neglect and cruelty are also investigated.El Refugio is a registered Spanish Association, primarily concerned with the welfare of donkeys and mules, and is also known to lobby for improved legislation for these animals throughout Europe. It is also a subsidiary of the Donkey Sanctuary in southern England.
We visited the centre with my friends and their two children, and although we were all touched by the plight of the donkeys, it was good to know that they were now being looked after and cared for by such a bunch of dedicated people.

The ever growing family of donkeys are fed, treated and provided with refuge, and the centre depends entirely on donations. Although entrance to the sanctuary is free, the majority of visitors leave donations to support the upkeep and care of the animals.As animal lovers, we found this visit to be particularly humbling and the rescue stories of how the donkeys came to be at El Refugio were touching. The founders and workers at the sanctuary are also committed to stop donkeys and mules being mistreated and sold at market, and also details efforts to help improve the welfare of animals involved in the donkey taxi business.Villanueva de la Vera
Another main campaign is to stop the cruelty and distress to donkeys at the annual Villanueva de la Vera Festival.

The festival of Pero Palo takes place in Villanueva de la Vera (Cáceres- Extremadura-Spain) every Shrove Tuesday. In this popular festival a poor and helpless donkey is taken through the streets of the village to be ridden by the drunkest rider and to be subjected to degrading and cruel treatment for more than an hour. The parliament of Junta de Extremadura passed a law (Ley 5/2002) for the Protection of Animals in the region of Extremadura which forbids the utilisation of animals in festivals and public shows when the animal receives cruel mistreatment. El Refugio del Burrito and The Donkey Sanctuary have witnessed this festival since 1986. We thought that the passing of that law meant the end of the torture the donkey receives, but reality has proved that nothing has changed. Over 3,500 letters have been sent to the sanctuary to outlaw this cruel event.


Adopt a Donkey

Visitors to the sanctuary can adopt one of eight donkeys for as little as €10 a year, and will receive a certificate and photo of the animal, plus regular updates on their future progress. This money goes towards the care and upkeep of the donkeys, and helps them recover from their years of negligence they have usually endured. The adoption package is also explained on the website, and can be paid for online. A gift shop is also situated on site, where the kids can take buy some souvenirs to take home.Flamingo Lake

After a fascinating day out, we stopped off at the Flamingo Lake on the way home. After drinks and tapas in Fuente de la Piedra, we stopped off at this beautiful lake, and were amazed at the species of birds we saw. This salt lake is approximately 6.5km long and 2.5km wide, and is the most important breeding ground for flamingos in the Iberian Peninsula. This is unspoilt beauty at its best, and the nearby village has been generally untouched by tourism. Experience it soon before the visitor centres are built.Contact Details:- El Refugio del Burrito, Apartado 25, 29520, Fuente de Piedra (Malaga). Tel: (English speaking): 0034 952 735513. (Spanish speaking): 0034 952 735077.


Directions:-From Malaga take the road to Antequera. Follow the signs for Seville, taking the A-92 motorway. Take the junction marked 132 to Fuente de Piedra and head into the village, turning left next to the Hotel Fuente de Piedra. Follow the track and take the second turn on the left after passing a large house on your right. The sanctuary is situated at the end of this track.


more things to do in spain click here

England - the beauty and the beast

I love going back to England on holiday. I don´t even mind the rain and the cold weather as long as it´s only for a few days. I went back to Nottingham last Thursday for a long weekend, half expecting the wet weather to continue while I was there. Amazingly, the sun shone for us, and I have come back to Spain with a better tan than the one I left with. On Friday we went to visit my friend, Mark, who has a narrowboat at Castle Marina on the River Trent. After a few drinks in the garden of one of the waterside pubs, we strolled back to the boat for a trip down the river. We quaffed champagne on the boat and had lunch on deck as we meandered further downstream. I love the Englishness of spending a day on the river, and the sunshine made it even more special. After a lazy, wonderful day, we moored the boat back at the Marina and took at taxi up to my dad´s local pub to meet him in the early evening. Situated in a quite affluent suburb of Nottingham, the Duke is a nice pub, where the locals make small talk and the landlord and landlady are welcoming and chatty. The sort of pub that is fast becoming extinct in England as more and more breweries buy up the premises and turn them into ´fun´ pubs or trashy burger bars and pizza joints. A smart outside area was quite recently added to the Duke, so that smokers could enjoy a cigarette without having to leave the premises. As there were quite a few children playing outside on the decking, the landlady politely asked a customer if she could ´keep an eye on her kids´ as they were trying to climb onto the roof of the pub which was obviously dangerous to them and others. The woman replied with a tirade of abuse and screamed at the landlady to ´mind her own f*****g business´. The landlady was kicked, scratched and punched until her husband and son intervened and tried to move the woman and her snarling teenage daughter out of the pub. The police were called and arrived within a few minutes - just in time to see the landlady hit back at the troublemaker in self-defence. As things calmed down, the landlady and his wife went to talk to the police, and were determind to prosecute the violent customer for assault. Result? The police advised the owners of the pub not to bother reporting the attacker as they had seen the landlady hit back in self-defence. Self-defence would be hard to prove and not worth the aggravation, according to the police. I don´t know what the answer is to violent crime in Britain, but surely the law has to come down harder on the perpetrators of violence - whether it be on the streets or in the pubs. Bruised and scratched, the landlady of the Duke was indeed a victim - but no charges could be bought against her attacker. Wrong very wrong - and another example of Britain´s soft laws regarding violent crime.

I know these things can happen anywhere but I have never seen it happen in Spain - and I have lived here 14 years. Maybe I have just been lucky but I can´t imagine something like that happening in Mijas-Golf.

With typical Nottingham humour, after the furore had subsided, my camp friend Mark retorted ´I didn´t realise Mapperley was quite so Jeremy Kyle darling.´ Funny if you´re not on the receiving end!

Fantastic health care in Spain

A lot is written about the pros and cons of taking out private health insurance in Spain, but I just wanted to share a story with you about the fantastic care my aunty received in Malaga last year. She had felt ´bunged up´ and full of cold for over a month, and decided to have a blood test to make sure all was as it should be. She visited her social doctor who told her he wanted to take a sample from a polyp at the back of her nose and send it for testing. The biopsy results came back and revealed, after a scan, that she had a large cancerous tumour behind her nose, which was pushing on her brain. At first the specialist told Nina that they couldn´t operate as the tumour was so close to the brain, but after further consulation, she was called back to discuss the options. Only two neuro-surgeons in Spain could carry out this delicate op and luckily one of them was in Malaga, so she was booked in to the Carlos Haya Hospital a week later. The operation was carried out a few days later using laser surgery to remove the tumour, which took 5 hours. She was in intensive care for 4 days, where the attention and care was second to none, and she then returned to a 4-bed room, where she was looked after until she left 10 days later. At the age of 75, we were worried she may not survive the op, but the doctors assured us she was in good hands, and in reasonably good health, and although there were risks, there was little choice as to whether to go ahead with the op or not. A year later, she is completely clear of cancer, and continues to have check ups every 3 months in Malaga. It is easy to complain about the NHS in the UK, or indeed about Spain´s equivalent here, but I have the utmost respect and praise for everyone involved in her operation and recovery. She is contacted regularly, and was even offered cosmetic surgery from the neuro-surgeon, should it be required after the op. Thankfully that was not the case and she is now fighting fit and looking fantastic.