Marbella is to receive a 11.5 million euro incentive from the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Sports.

Marbella is to receive a 11.5 million euro incentive from the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Sports. The cash is aimed at supporting the city’s efforts to increase tourism, as the Ministry believes that Marbella is the centre of Costa del Sol tourism and any benefits felt there will also be felt in surrounding towns.
The Marbella Tourism Plan will receive the biggest cash injection of around 9 million euros; this is in addition to 4 million already in place from a 2006 agreement.
Only six cities in the country are to receive the tourism boosting incentive money, the others being Jaen, Jerez, Granada, Malaga and Sevilla.

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Madrid Lions rugby club

Email: info@madridlionsrfc.com
Tel: 91 373 56 13
This social rugby group was formed in 1997 and accepts players on all levels from all nationalities. Since founded they have had over 400 members/guests, young and old(er), from a nationality base of 23 countries. Sign-up fee is EUR 65 for fees and jerseys. Training is at training at 1:30 pm on Saturdays at Complejo Deportivo Almudena, Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, Ciudad Universitaria ( Metro: Metropolitano). Visit for more details.

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Cricket (Madrid)

Email: david.leonida@cricketinmadrid.com
Tel: 659 630 327
Cricket is a favourite in England and the Madrid Cricket Club has been bringing cricket to Spain since 1975. They practise at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Alcorcón. Contact President David Leonida at david.leonida@cricketinmadrid.com for more information about joining.

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Famous Faces of the Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War might be something that the Spanish have only recently begun to debate openly, but for foreign writers it has evolved as nothing less than a thriving cottage industry; nevertheless the appeal of any fraternal conflict, particular one with the international ramifications of the Spanish Civil War, is always compelling.

I have just read the most recent one, 'Famous Faces of the Spanish Civil War'
(Pen&Sword, UK,2009) by Steve Hurst. The book has an engaging style and is well illustrated with all the usual suspects, George Orwell, Ernest Hemingway, Dalí, Federico Lorca, Arthur Koestler, Picasso, John Cornford, Martha Gellhorn et al. But what makes this book stand out is that Steve Hurst is not just another desk-bound writer, he is an artist-historian and, just like the artist-soldiers of the war itself, he has walked the walk; from the killing beaches of Málaga to the Republic's last breaths in the snows of the Pyrenees, researching, interviewing survivors and drafting the maps that richly illustrate the book. 5 stars

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Gumbo

Gumbo
Calle Pez 15
Tel: 91-532-6361
Metro: Noviciado
Opening times: 14.00-15.30 and 20.00 to 02.30. Closed on Sunday night and Mondays all day.
Menu at EUR 10.50

Forget the chain burger and rib joints, this is the real American meal deal with N’Awlins native Matthew Scott sporting his trademark bandana do-rag and turning out Big Easy eats like seafood gumbo, shrimp and grouper creole, and spicy, free-range chicken.

A recommended evening meal here might begin with one of the classic cocktails on offer, then fried green tomatoes, a stuffed pork chop with caramelised onions and bodelaise sauce as the main course and a big slice of pecan or peanut butter pie for dessert.

As they say in those parts: “Laissez les bon temps roulez!”


BASQUE
La Alacena de Serrano
Calle Infanta Maria Teresa 19
Tel: 912207009
www.laalacenadeserrano.com
Metro: Concha Espina or Colombia
Opening times: 13.30-16.00 and 20.30 to 24.00. Closed on Sunday night and Mondays all day.
Menu - Menu degustación at EUR 25
A nice elegant venue that has an air of distinction. It is highly-recommended for business meals due to its relaxed and quiet atmosphere. The eye for detail is what sets the décor of the restaurant apart from all others.

The high quality of food is also shown in presentation of the dishes and the food itself. Specialities are basque cuisine and Spanish alike, where you can try delicious callos, rabo de toro or cochinillo.

À la carte dishes are offered in full or half versions, medias raciones, allowing you to enjoy the same great taste for half the price.


CATALAN
Can Punyetes
Calle San Agustin 9
Tel: 91-429-94-83
www.canpunyetes.com
Metro: Anton Martin
Opening times: 13.00-16.00 and 20.00 to 24.00. Fridays and Saturdays opened till 01.00. Closed on Sundays.
Menu at EUR 11.50

Cheap and cheerful, this bistro boasts a barbeque pit in the main dining room where butifarra sausages, rabbit, chops and other prime meats are done to a turn over the open fire. It is also where they grill the chewy country bread for the extensive range of tostadas topped with pisto con ventresca, jamón serrano, patés and other goodies. There are seasonal specialities such as escudella (Catalonia’s version of minestrone soup) in the winter, grilled baby asparagus in the spring and grilled vegetables in the summer served with romescu and alioli (garlic) sauce. A crema catalana (a sweet creamy pudding) is the perfect finish.

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US actors Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz

US actors Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz have arrived in Cadiz, southern Spain to film scenes for their latest movie "Knight and Day", Spanish media reported on Sunday.

Two hurt as bulls flee Tom Cruise film set
Cadiz - US actors Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz have arrived in Cadiz, southern Spain to film scenes for their latest movie "Knight and Day", Spanish media reported on Sunday.

The two Hollywood stars have started shooting scenes that imitate the famous bull run held each year in Pamplona, northern Spain for the James Mangold-directed action comedy.

The Pamplona bull run is held in the city each July and was made famous by Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel "The Sun Also Rises".

During the run, crowds race ahead of a herd of thundering bulls, which can weigh up to 700 kilogrammes (1,500 pounds) each, along an 825 metre (900 yard) course over cobbled streets.

Seven bulls escaped during the film's rehearsals earlier this month, slightly injuring two women.

"Knight and Day" is set to be released in the US in July 2010.

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