Maps and books about Andalusia

Maps and books about Spain

"South from Granada" (Penguin Travel Library)
Describing the essence of a remote rural area before the Spanish Civil War, this book explores the festivals and folklore of the Sierra Nevada, the rivalries, romances and courtship rituals, the village customs, superstitions and characters. It includes chapters on Granada in the Twenties, food and the Phoenicians, the cheap brothels and archaeological remains of Almeria, the mountain scenery, and even a visit from Virginia Woolf.

"AA Road Atlas - Spain and Portugal"
The second edition of this large-scale atlas, produced by leading European cartographers, Geo Planeta, includes: additional information on traffic services, garages, road side assistance, car hire, airports, railways, tourist information centres and weather information, a useful companion for travelling through Spain and Portugal.

"Alpujarras Tour and Trail Map" by David Anthony Brawn.
The definitive walking map to this beautiful region is the companion map to 34 Alpujarras Walks. All the walking routes and pistas featured in Charles' book are clearly highlighted on the map along with most of the GPS Waypoints from 34 Alpujarras Walks.

"The Rough Guide to Andalucia" by Geoff Garvey.
Andalusia is the southernmost territory of Spain and the part of the Iberian peninsula that is most quintessentially Spanish. The popular image of Spain as a land of bullfights, flamenco, sherry and ruined castles derives from this spectacularly beautiful region. This guidebook helps you search out the true heart of Andalusia.

"Pallas Andalucia" by Michael Jacobs.
In this masterly book, Michael Jacobs looks with fresh eyes at all the traditional delights of Andalusia while doing full justice to the lesser-known aspects of the region.

"Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia" by Chris Stewart.
Chris Stewart, skilled sheep-shearer and sometime Genesis drummer, took one look at the Alpujarras, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, and decided that's where he wanted to be. This is the story of his adventures coming to terms with the terrain, the lifestyle and, of course, the locals, who possess all the rugged, homespun charm you'd expect.

"A Parrot in the Pepper Tree" by Chris Stewart.
Chris Stewart turns another leaf on his life in southern Spain in this "sort of" sequel to his biography "Driving Over Lemons". It is in fact part sequel - further (mis)adventures of Chris and his family on their remote Andalusian farm - and part prequel, looking back on Chris's previous lives, drumming with the teenage band Genesis.

"A Season in Spain" by Andrew and Lesley Grant Adamson.
They recount the reaction of the locals to the arrival into their rural community of an inexperienced English couple, the crises and triumphs that accompanied the olive harvest, the colour and pageantry of local fiestas, and the constant problems of drought and dry rivers. Includes a reference to Los Piedaos.

"Holiday Walks in Alpujarra" by Jeremy Rabjohn.
The most up-to-date and accurate collection of walks for this wild and beautiful region, easily accessible from Los Piedaos. The intended audience is independent travellers with a sense of adventure.

"Birdwatching on Spain's Southern Coast: Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Almeria, Donana, and some Inland Sites" by John R. Butler.
Easy to read guide, well illustrated and with excellent directions to a host of superb and varied sites in which to find a multitude of different species, of equal value to the novice as to the experienced birder.

"DK Handbook: Wildflowers of the Mediterranean" by David Burnie.
The visual recognition guides in this series are designed to make identification as simple and accurate as possible. Each volume contains clear photographs and artwork with text. This handbook focuses on wildflowers of the Mediterranean.

"Complete Mediterranean Wildlife" by Paul Sterry.
Mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies and moths, other insects, spiders, slugs and snails, trees and flowering plants from all round the Mediterranean are all included here, and each section is coded with a symbol for quick reference. While most Mediterranean habitats are low-lying, the range of the guide extends into the foothills of mountains. Shells and animals likely to be seen while snorkelling are also described and illustrated.

"Michelin - The Green Guide" by Michelin Travel Publications.
Discover the rich cultural and artistic heritage behind the sun, sea and sand traditionally associated with Spain. This captivating land of contrasts has something to offer everyone, whether skiing in the Pyrenees, museum-hopping in Madrid, or sun-worshipping in the Canary Islands.

"Andalucia Handbook" by Rowland Mead.
A resource of comprehensive maps and vital information, making Footprint Handbooks indispensable tools for world travelers, with air and land transportation information and highlights of virtually every site and town, including local history, culture, customs, and etiquette.

"A Season in Spain" by Larry Walker and Ann Walker.
This unlikely combination of travel guide, personal narrative, food and wine essay, and cookbook works remarkably well. The authors show considerable knowledge of Spain, especially as it relates to food and drink, and they write engagingly.

"Two Middle-Aged Ladies in Andalusia" by Penelope Chetwode.
Undeterred by remote and almost savage country, a primitive peasant population and inns evidently medieval in their crudity, Penelope Chetwode's sole companion on her ride over the disused mule tracks and goat paths in the wilds of Andalusia was the 12-year-old bay mare, La Marquesa. This story of their adventure together offers a vivid picture of life in rural Andalusia not that many years ago.

"Moorish Spain" by Richard Fletcher.
This historical survey is for the inquisitive traveller in Spain, who might want to know something more than a guidebook can tell him about the people who built the mosque of Cordoba or the Alhambra at Granada.