Sampling All Spain Has To Offer

Spain is more than sun, sea and sand, for years the mass tourism has led many to believe that the country only exists in terms of resorts and holiday complexes. Buying property in Spain has been shied away from by many because of this fact; prospective buyers have not wanted to buy in a country that the majority sees as a sunny Blackpool.

They could however not be more wrong, Spain has depth that so many do not see and the best way to get a true idea of the delights this country has to offer is to buy a villa and holiday there regularly. Numbers of villas in Spain have been steadily increasing since the mid nineties and now as the Spanish property bubble is on the brink of deflating, the time could not be riper for buying a place in the sun.

Spain holds more than what made it famous during the eighties, the resorts are still there but increasingly ex-patriot communities are being built up creating little pieces of Britain abroad. This may sound ghastly to you but it offers the best of both worlds for anyone wishing to buy property in Spain. This double edged sword offers the security and comfort of living with members of your own nation, whilst being at liberty to sample the pleasures of Spanish culture.

By far the biggest reason for me to buy a villa in Spain would be the sumptuous cuisine. There is more to Spain than just paella, its heady mix of Jewish and Moorish influences have created a balanced palate. Do not be afraid if you are a pork lover though, after centuries of catholic domination pork has become a staple of the Spanish diet.

If you buy a villa along Spain’s beautiful coast however the fish dishes with their heavy Mediterranean influence are truly out of this world. If you are a fan of the tapas style of eating, always remember to adhere to tradition and get a drink in your hand before you tuck in.

In terms of sport many would understandably avoid the bullfights that are a regular occurrence in Spain, but if you are investing in Spanish property remember Spain has one of the best football leagues in the world. Matches at stadiums like the Neu Camp are an experience never to be forgotten, living in Spain you would have the chance to visit the matches regularly and surround yourself with the fanatic football followers.

The biggest benefit to buying property in Spain is the people; welcoming and fun-loving they enjoy a good time and will happily share evenings with those who make the effort with them. As long as it is not siesta time you will find them working hard and in the evenings socialising over food. Life in Spain is relaxed and operates at a different tempo to Britain, purchasing a villa in this wondrous country allows you to slow down to this pace of life.

If you feel you are ready to take the plunge and buy a second home in Spain you will experience all this country has to offer for the rest of your life. Arguably it is purely the sun that tempts people to buying property in Spain, but once you look deeper you will realise there is so much more.

The food, the striking scenery and the hospitable people making buying a Spanish villa well worthwhile in today’s climate. With prices the way they are it is definitely a buyers market and you could find yourself a bargain. Before you know it, you could be relaxing by the pool in your own Spanish villa ready to immerse yourself in this ancient culture.

Where to Eat and Drink in Cardiff

A very entertaining way to spend a few hours in Cardiff would be to eat somewhere special and have a sip or more of tasty wine or beer. The Welsh, and especially the people living in Cardiff, are famous for their exquisite taste in food and their gifted chefs that prepare meals with Welsh meat and vegetables, plus those secret ingredients that make each dish incredibly tasty. The lamb, beef, vegetables, shellfish or salmon have never tasted better than those made by the Welsh chefs.

If you are in the mood for some great food and wine, just go Cardiff’s city centre, in the Brewery Quarter, where you can find all sorts of restaurants offering local and international cuisine. There are also other restaurants in other parts of the city, these also being great venues to please your appetite.

The list of restaurants and places to dine is endless in Cardiff.

If you go to the Armless Dragon on 97 Wyeverne Road, Cathays, you will be welcomed by a lot of Welsh specialities and you can have a pleasurable meal in a relaxing atmosphere.

For some oriental food go to Bar Oriental. You can enjoy the special cocktails in this bar, located in Mermaid Quay.

Are you looking for something new? Check out the Bali restaurant which will offer you a wide range of specialities from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. The bar is on 30-32 Caroline Street.

If you want to watch a cooking show, go to the Bayside Brasserie, which has an open kitchen as well as a pleasant view over Cardiff Bay. They serve all sorts of fish dishes and dishes prepared with meat, so this is not a place for vegans. However, a good place for vegans and vegetarians is the Crumbs Salad Restaurant, which will offer you numerous choices of huge salads, all served in wooden bowls. Another great venue for vegetarians is the Greenhouse Cafe, where organic and seasonal ingredients are used.

Take a glimpse at Italy’s finest recipes at Bella Italia, and taste the spaghetti and pizzas they make here with Italian ingredients. This restaurant is on 6 High Street. If you want to compare Italian dishes, you can also check out Bella Pasta, which is a traditional Italian restaurant in the Red Dragon Centre. Or you can go to 48 Charles Street, to the Capsule Space and Cantina restaurant.

For Turkish traditional food, visit Bosphorus on Mermaid Quay and you will be able to sample Turkey’s best dishes served in a pleasant ambiance. Listen to some jazz at Cafe Jazz, with live bands playing on a regular basis. For Moroccan food, go to Casablanca, a great place for couples. The Celtic Cauldron will offer you specific Welsh dishes in an atmosphere that will remind of the legendary times of Wales.

For Spanish Tapas, go to Champers on St Mary’s Street. There is also an open kitchen here, so you can witness your food being made.

Are you up for a large steak? Go to Charleston’s Brasserie, a place that is decorated in the 1920s style. Another place to eat a good steak is the Taurus Steak House on St. Mary Street.

China China is a restaurant where you can eat Chinese dishes. The place is on St Mary Street. Would you rather taste some Mexican food? Then Chiquito is the place for you. It is located in the Old Brewery Quarter. Da Venditto is a restaurant that has been awarded with the AA restaurant of the year 2003, so check it out on 7-8 Park Place. For the French Cuisine lovers, the Dome will offer you the best wine in a relaxing romantic atmosphere. The restaurant is at Atlantic Wharf.

If you want food served in a Swedish buffet, you should go to El Puerto, where you can choose from all kinds of fish and meats to put on your plate. An elite place in Cardiff is the Elements Champagne Bar and Restaurant, but make sure you book well in advance. The place is in Harbor Drive. If you would just like some fish and chips while you are visiting Cardiff, stop at Harry Ramsdens, placed in the very heart of Cardiff bay. Juboraj is the restaurant that brings Indian and Bangladeshi dishes to Wales. It is located on 10 Mill Lane. For Peking, Szechuen and South East Asian cuisine, check out the Noble House on Wood Street.

The Norwegian Church will offer you the best choice of Scandinavian dishes, and you can also enjoy the art exhibition at this restaurant.

As you can see, there are various themed restaurants scattered all around Cardiff. If you haven’t decided yet on what type of cuisine you would like, go to Belllini’s , where you’ll find food from all around the world prepared in delicious dishes.

If you are full, and would like to drink something instead, you can choose from a wide range of wines, not to mention the delicious beers of Wales. You will find a multitude of bars on St. Mary Street.

Mill Lane and the Mermaid Quay are also places crammed with bars and clubs, so you can check them out one by one.

Cardiff Bay is another place to go when you want some ‘Brains’, which refers to the local brewery, producer of Cardiff’s most popular pint.

Choose from the Buffalo Bar, Bar XS, Buff’s Wine Bar, Fat Cat Café Bar, Floyd’s Bar, Kiwi’s, Lava’s Lounge, Rummer Tavern, Rosie’s Bar, Salt, The Wharf, The Yard, Tiger Tiger, Varsity, Zync Bar…..the list could continue much longer.

All in all, Cardiff is a city that will offer you great sights, delicious food and, last but not least, good beer, perhaps even the best. Going out in a bar or a restaurant is a popular activity, and fortunately Cardiff has endless offers, so that no one is excluded.

Article by Susan Ashby of Cardiff Singles. To read more articles like this or for dating in Cardiff visit http://www.cardiff-singles.co.uk