Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Nigel’s Europe

Most visitors find their way up the winding Ronda road from the town of San Pedro de Alcantara just outside Marbella. From San Pedro take the A397 north for approximately 47 km or one hour and you will arrive in the heart of Ronda. It’s an incredible drive through gorgeous scenery but the road does twist and turn quite a lot. It’s a favourite with motorcyclists so be prepared to be overtaken on your way up and down again.

If you’re driving to Ronda directly from your Malaga car hire collection point, then you may prefer to take the straighter A357 and then A367 via Cartama, Ardales, Cuevas del Becerro. It’s a bit further at 100 km or one and half hours but the scenery is still great! Once you get to Ronda, there is plenty of parking with well signed and reasonably priced public car parks throughout the city.

A third option is to take the train. There is one train per day that runs between Malaga airport and Ronda but the line between San Roque Estacion and Ronda is far more scenic. It stops in a couple of pretty villages on the way and you will really get a feel for authentic Spanish countryside. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see the storks nesting on top of the electricity pylons on your way up! There are four trains each day in each direction and the fares are very reasonable.

Ronda dominates the landscape around it and hence was very strategically important to the Moors who survived here until the Christians overcame them in 1485. You will see a lot of Moorish and Arabic influences in the architecture in the centre. The city is located either side of a 100 metre deep gorge, El Tajo. The New Bridge or Puente Nuevo, which dates back to the 18th Century, spans El Tajo and joins together the older southern side of the town with the “newer” part.

In the southern side of Ronda you will find some of the most interesting tourist attractions such as the Palacio Mondragon with its typical Moorish mosaics and plasterwork, Minaret San Sebastian (the remains of a 14th century mosque) and the very impressive Ayuntamiento or town hall with its arcaded facade and Mudéjar ceiling. There is even a Catholic church, Santa María la Mayor, where you can see the minaret and prayer niche which have survived from its previous use as a mosque back in the 13th century.

Whatever your principles, a visit to the bullring is highly recommended. It is thought that Ronda’s Plaza de Toros is the world’s oldest bullring and the spiritual home of bullfighting. The first bullfight is meant to have taken place in 1785. The bullring is a very elegant construction with Tuscan columns forming the two storey seating galleries. The bullfighting museum within explains the cultural history of Spain’s controversial sport or artform (depending on which side of the coin your opinions fall) and includes a tour of the bullring itself and the Royal Harness and Livery collection. Several of the ornate and colourful bullfighting costumes are on display together with an antique fire-arms collection. Next to the bullring is the School of Equestrianism where you can watch the training of their beautiful thoroughbred horses and riders.

View Exploring Ronda in Andalucia Spain in a larger map

The post Exploring Ronda in Andalucia | Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by overdrive_cz

Malá Fatra is located in the northern part of the country. Its tourist centre is Terchová village. Accommodation is offered mostly by private owners in their home areas or cottages. The prices are around €10 per night. There are also several hotels with prices around €35 per night. In every village around the park you can find local restaurants offering delicious meals for little money.

Charming small waterfalls and gorges in Vrátna Valley

One of the most interesting trips that can be undertaken in a national park, is a visit to two waterfalls. One of them is Šútovský waterfall which is set at the river Sut in Šútovská dolina valley. The stream is more than 2 meters wide and falls to 38 meters deep gorge.

Another one, which is one of the rarest Slovak falls, is 10 meters high Klacký waterfall, declared a national natural monument. There is stunning countryside around with wild rapids and a giant pots (holes carved by water).

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Petrusia1

Gorges in Vrátna valley and Terchová valley are popular hiking attractions thanks to a beautiful scenery of rocky formations but also to local folklore festivities. They are held here every year in honor of Juraj Jánošík, a native of Terchová village.

You can also visit Crystal cave in Malý Rozsutec or climb to the highest peak of Malá Fatra – Veľký Kriváň (1709 m). If you get tired you can relax in nearby thermal park Meander Park in Oravice featuring geothermal water with temperature ranging from 35 to 37°C, or in another thermal park Bešeňová.

If you wish to learn more about famous Juraj Jánošík you can visit museum in Terchová or another popular open air museum in the village Nová Bystrica – Vychylovce. It documents the local folk architecture and life in the past. An interesting exhibition is the historic forest railways from the early 20th century.

Malá Fatra National Park with the equally interesting surroundings is simply the perfect place for a nice and cheap holiday. If you want to save some money in these hectic days and enjoy great nature at the same time, come to Slovakia.

View Malá Fatra National Park – one of the most visited national parks in Slovakia in a larger map

The post Malá Fatra National Park – one of the most visited national parks in Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

The Nant Llech is a small and peaceful river that meanders its way to the edges of Farewell Rock. It is here that the waters of the river make the 27-meter plunge over the edge of the rock face.

Henrhyd Falls, Wales, UK by Dave Mack

The Henrhyd Falls are very well-known; not just in the UK, but throughout the world as well. Up until just recently, the area was a popular destination for those who lived in the UK and just wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of inner city life. However, since the falls appeared at the end of the recently released film, The Dark Knight Rises, more and more visitors from all over the world have made the trek down into the gorge.

To get to the Henrhyd Falls, you will need to park your car and take a steep hike down into the very deep gorge lined with oak and ash trees. There is a small bridge at the bottom which will take you to the opposite side of the Nant Llech. From here, special care must be taken as the path narrows and becomes uneven.

There is only one way down into the gorge and one way out so special care must be taken when choosing to make your way down to see the Henrhyd Falls. The path will take you down to the base of the waterfall and if you continue to follow it, the path will take you behind the falls.

The area that Henrhyd Falls is located in is aptly dubbed the Wales Waterfall Country as there are countless falls that can be found throughout the Brecon Beacons National Park. For someone who is planning on visiting the Henrhyd Waterfall, make sure that you bring the proper footwear for the trek down into the gorge.

Take your time and make sure to check out the many other spectacular water falls that can be found throughout the area before you leave.

The post Henrhyd Falls – the tallest waterfall in South Wales, United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.