Friends of the Spanish Maestrazgo .

SATELLITE VIEW LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE METEO NEXT 10 DAYS City on the Sea Peñiscola (City on the Sea) Pope Luna I remember my very first visit to Peñiscola many years ago. I had bought a well known American, world famous, travel guide and the section on Peñiscola attracted me because it was said that the town of Peñiscola together with its spectacular castle was completely cut off from the mainland by the sea. I was looking forward to seeing this somewhat different setting, but was most disappointed when I found that there was a reasonably constructed asphalt road connecting the castle and the old town to the mainland. Even more so when being told that it had always been thus. Anyway this failing was soon forgotten as this particular fortress, allegedly constructed by the 'Knights Templers' did present a remarkable sight. Even more so in that it was the home of the last Spanish Pope, Benedicto VIII, know as 'Pope Papa Luna'. An...

SATELLITE VIEW LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE METEO NEXT 10 DAYS View of Morella at night   The first time I arrived in Morella was in the late 1960's. Around 9.30 at night the streets were completely deserted and there was not a light to be seen anywhere; not even a street lamp. Then, to the left, my friend spotted what was a single dim lamp that shone on a sign indicating the, Hotel Cardinal Ram. A very austere place, at that time, but with comfortable beds, a reasonable dinner and continental breakfast. The price, in total, for the two of us, around 5 Euros. Yes just 5 Euros. A small tip was offered but refused saying that we had paid sufficient! A short wander around the town made me think that this place was, indeed, going to be a place of importance in the future and certainly a favourite of mine.    Although slightly, by a short distance only, Morella is not part of the Maestrazgo however nowadays it can claim to be a bustling historic cen...

SATELLITE VIEW LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE(not aviable) METEO NEXT 10 DAYS View of Cuevas de Cañart Driving from Alañiz along the main road towards Teruel I found myself in the small town of Molinos. Not feeling in the mood to explore this particular place, as I had had little or no recommendations to do so. However a coffee was necessary to brighten my day so I stopped at a very small bar that caught my eye. And it was there that one of the more friendly customers suggested that as I was in the area it would be a good idea to visit 'Las grutas de cristal' or 'The Crystal Grottoes' a short distance from the town. The Crystal Grottoes  As a keen cyclist when I was in my teens I expected to find something similar to the Chedder Caves in England. But I was in for a pleasant surprise. This was something really unique. I was expecting something of a cave with stalactites and stalagmites, (I can never remember which ones that hang down or the ones than grow...