A set of interesting cultural essays about Andalucia in a variety of different topics.

Andalucia people, both those native to this region and those who have a relationship with southern Spain. From Roman emperors to Moorish caliphs and poets, from movie stars to models, singers, dancers and authors, the names and faces do much to tell the story of Andalucia.

Andalucía is a region with a surprising number and variety of natural caves. Some of these are well-known and open to the public, such as those situated in Nerja, La Pileta and Ardales, but there are many more than these hidden away in the rugged mountains and back country. All that is needed is a spirit of adventure.

Bullfighting as we know it today, started in the village squares, and became formalised, with the building of the bullring in Ronda in the late 18th century. From that time, it began to follow a particular sequence of events: the entrance of the bull, the picador, the banderilleros, and finally the matador (bullfighter). Many of the picadors' horses were injured in the early days, so these heavy horses now wear protection.

Spring in Seville has a special atmosphere, garlanded with the sweet scent of orange blossom and jasmine, and a frisson of excited anticipation, as the city's two most important events take place - first Semana Santa and then the Spring Fair, the Feria de Abril.

68 separate cave paintings in Velez-Blanco and Maria, Almeria; Almaciles and Huescar, Granada; Quesada, Pontones, Santiago de la Espada, Segura de la Sierra, Santisteban del Puerto and Aldeaquemada, Jaen

Doñana National Park in Andalusia occupies the right bank of the Guadalquivir river at its estuary on the Atlantic Ocean. It is notable for the great diversity of its biotopes, especially lagoons, marshlands, fixed and mobile dunes, scrub woodland and maquis.

This conference centre has 17 rooms with a total floor space of 9105 square metres and capacity for 4103 people. The largest room has a floor space of 1280 square metres and a capacity of 900 people.

Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malaga province due to its dramatic setting and historic and cultural heritage, it is no surprise that Ronda has an abundance of self-catering accommodation both in the town itself and just outside in the surrounding countryside.

Located on a headland on the coast between River Manilva and Playa de la Sal and the Arroyo Camarate and Playa de Piedra Paloma. All within in the small coastal strip of the municipality of Casares.

Algeciras railway station is the present terminus of Mr Henderson's Railway which connects Ronda with the Spanish rail network at Bobadilla for main lines to Granada, Malaga, Cordoba and Madrid. The station is located in the upper part of the town and a few kilometers from the port.

Today many four and five-star hotels in Andalucia, especially on the coast, have spas for guests to use, offering hydrotherapy circuit and beauty treatments and therapies for ultimate pampering and relaxation, as well as treating muscular ailments and offering help with stress, digestive problems and weight loss. You will feel the effects immediately, your energy levels restored, your body and mind relaxed and revitalised, ready to face the world.

Marbella is a popular destination for families and party goers alike, especially during the summer season when the town comes alive. Holiday Rental of an apartment is a good idea for those wanting to come as a group or with the family. Apartments offer visitors more space than a hotel and comes complete with cooking facilities.

Tarifa is located at the southern-most point of Spain and is a popular destination for surfers, families and couples alike, with plenty of activities, from the high-octane to the more sedate. Famous for its long beaches and being the number one kite-surf destination in Europe, the town is popular with watersports enthusiasts, but it also has a great shopping and nightlife and a beautiful old town for visitors to enjoy.

Torremolinos has a huge selection of dining options, from takeaways and fast food to fine dining in exclusive locations. Restaurants in Torremolinos vary in quality, however there is a good amount of high-quality restaurants in the city, you just need to know where to go!

Being a popular tourist destination both off-season and during the summer months, Nerja has a good selection of restaurants to choose from, ranging from beach chiringuitos to more luxurious dining options. Restaurants in Nerja serve fresh seafood caught daily, including squid and octopus dishes, as well as a lot of paella.

Award-winning travel photographer and long-term resident, Michelle Chaplow gives advice on photographing in Spain. Spain is a vast country, and after living and working as a photographer here for over 20 years, I know that it's impossible to generalise about one individual and uniform Spain. It's a country of extreme contrasts and rich, varied traditions.

Everyone loves a day on the beach with the kids, but if you fancy a change of scene there's a surprising variety of activities available in Andalucia, from swimming with sea lions to visiting a Wild West town, or riding a 100-year-old train.

“Botellón” literally translates as “big bottle” and comes from the bottles of alcohol that young people typically bring with them to unofficial celebrations that take place in city streets, plazas, car parks, beaches, waste ground and around the most popular pubs and discotheques.

The park counts over 300 crocs among its inhabitants, including the massive Gran Paco (known as Big Daddy in English), the biggest crocodile in Europe, measuring five metres and weighing over 600kg.