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The Museum explains the relationships that the inhabitants of the Doñana area have remained with the natural environment throughout history.
Three elements define the contents of the museum as the most representative of the cultural system: the landscape, history and festivals.

CONTENT
The museum has been distributed in 7 areas or sections: 6 thematic areas and the “The Mirador” (viewing terrace).

In addition, this building has a large showroom located on the left side of the reception desk, which will host exhibitions related to Donana and El Rocio.
We note that three areas are dedicated to El Rocío: the village, the chapel, the virgin, history and devotion, and popular demonstrations. The other three are devoted to the environment: Doñana, the marshes, landscapes and festivals.

AREAS:
1. DOÑANA AND LANDSCAPES
2. THE MARSH AND PILGRIMAGE
3. THE CHAPEL AND THE VIRGIN. HISTORY AND DEVOTION
4. El ROCIO. ROADS AND VILLAGE
5. EL ROCIO. THE RETURNS OF THE VIRGIN
6. DOÑANA AND FESTIVALS

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The route is circular type: is part of the knowledge of the Doñana region and its landscapes, the marsh and its history and we move slowly and deeper into El Rocío.

Duration: Between 45 and 60 minutes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS:

+ (34) 959 44 21 66

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Go ahead and participate in a unique experience at your fingertips.

With a few classes and you can surf freely off the coast of La Luz -Huelva

Do not worry about anything, we will provide all necessary materials for the activity.
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PRICES: 2 day course (4 hours each day)

Full price per person: from 120 €

Check other options, courses, and opportunities

For further details or reservations:
+ 34 959 47 08 74 & +34 636 300 457
e-mail: info@huelvaholidays.com

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Come and learn to dive with us, or if you have experience, share our adventures in the Costa de la Luz and Portuguese Algarve.

We are located at Isla Cristina, close to the local marina
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Theoretical classes

Swimming Practices

Practices in the sea

Practices ruled by the Spanish federation of diving activities

For further details or reservations:
+ 34 959 47 08 74 & +34 636 300 457
e-mail: info@huelvaholidays.com

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Welcome to  restaurant Montecruz

Your gastronomic reference in the beautiful village of Aracena.

Located in the center of town, with a warm and welcoming ambience, and very close to the “Cave of Wonders”, the restaurant puts on your table the best of our cuisine, focusing on two stars elements of the Sierra products: Hunting meats and Mushrooms.

Participate in our gastronomic seasons and delight your palate on the terrace or in our indoor rooms where you can accompany your meal with a selection of wines from our extensive wine cellar.
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The Hotel La Noria is an ideal setting as a starting point to visit the area of Lepe, La Antilla, Islantilla, Huelva, Ayamonte and even the neighbouring Portugal.

Let yourself be surprised by our professionals who will treat you during your visit, combining your vacations with sun, beaches, golf, culture, cuisine, and many, many more.

Come to discover this ideal environment for your holidays in a family atmosphere, and enjoy our privileged weather all year round.

20 rooms with air conditioning, heating, direct telephone, TV,and complete bathroom.

Other establishment services:  reception, coffee-bar, restaurant, WIFI connection, and laundry service.

All apartments are perfectly conditioned, and have a 4-star service.

Spacious and functional facilities, where you can enjoy a great vacation, complemented with an endless array of activities or visits, in this unique environment with unforgettable sunsets.

120 two bedrooms apartments with, air conditioning, heating, telephone, satellite TV, safe deposit box, terrace, kitchen and 2 bathrooms.

Other establishment services: 24 hour reception, swimming pool, solarium, coffee-bar, restaurant, Cyber Corner, supermarket, and parking facilities.

Yes, September, an ideal time to stroll and visit every corner of our province, and so today I intend to share my experiences during a weekend at El Rocío

And here I am, arriving Friday evening, the village of El Rocio, a little tired, but eager to discover a different way of doing tourism in a peculiar environment as Doñana.

Who knows why, but sometimes fate, and curiosity, makes us follow or walk either way on our journey, and I am going to say, I could not settle for something at the roadside, my common sense led me to the limits of the Marshes of Doñana, face down, with the Hotel Toruño, a wonderful property located in the heart of the marshes, and gateway to our experience, in a wonderful and unforgettable weekend.

Andrés, the director, kindly attended us on arrival, and once we settled into one of its spacious rooms overlooking the park, we detailed the plan provided for these two days.

The next morning, only the chirping of the sparrows, with its sweet melody, accompanied by our wake, that after a nice breakfast in our hotel, we prepared for our first and morning appointment.
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At 8 a.m. we were in the middle of the Acebuche visitors centre, about 10 minutes drive from El Rocío, toward Matalascañas. Andrés made the reservation in our name, and so easy it was to get place in a special bus, which made us a wonderful and extensive tour of about 4hrs for the southern area of Donana National Park, where animals, birds, a virgin beach of 30 km, and an extensive flora and fauna, are offered to us with unusual strength and colour.

The park shows us with all joy and splendour, making us to feel indispensable, in our management for a sustainable balance, and the environment. We are responsible for that balance, together with the overall sustainability of our planet, and Doñana is undoubtedly the mirror to look.

Tired but happy for the experience, I visit the beach of Matalascañas, located just few minutes from the Acebuche, where our tour ends. There I shall walk quietly through its promenade, and lunch at one of its restaurants.

In the afternoon, at the hotel and after a successful nap, Andrés gives me free time to wander through the village of El Rocío, and visit the shrine, the local museum, and of course, take this opportunity to get lost some of its many streets, lined with shops selling clothes, typical articles or souvenirs, among others.

Night comes, and our host has reserved table in the restaurant El Toruño. A reputable establishment located next to the hotel where we stayed, and with different rooms overlooking the marshes, as well as its main outdoor terrace, the place chosen this occasion to my delight and enjoyment.

A “Flamenco” night in a unique atmosphere, surrounded by horsemen, and under the protection of the moon, all accompanied with the best cuisine in Doñana, and wines of the county. With no doubt the perfect meal to cap a day, “unforgettable.”

My friends, what more can you ask for. The night is going on, and although Andrés offers a nightcap at one of the “rocieros” bars close by, this reporter knows to wait for a better time, because tomorrow is waiting for us, with another wonderful day, plenty of new experiences.

And so, Sunday morning came, this time without getting up early, accompanied also by the silence of the swamp, and the songs of the sparrows.

You will agree, always a good breakfast is the best start of each day, but if it also comes with time and relax, nothing can go wrong. And that is that after wake up very late, I have a delicious breakfast in El Toruño.

The morning is served, so that equipment moves me to visit a few sights that I have been recommended by Andrés : The Acebrón Palace, and La Rocina. Both in a short distance of El Rocío, so no doubt this trip worthwhile, a mixture of culture, history, and nature in Doñana.

Andrés is preparing a nice surprise for the evening, so without knowing anything, I prepare to enjoy the day, and let Doñana seizes my stress, and bring me its mind, its stillness, and a sea of sensations for my soul.

My weekend is coming to an end, and Andrés is waiting this afternoon with a group of riders, for a walk in Doñana by horse or by carriage (as I prefer). Dear friends, imagine riding in Doñana through its marshes and trails, knowing its heart, its landscapes, and its soul. Simply marvellous

Everything regains sense, a tour around Doñana, where the man in communion with nature, really feels what is freedom, and the desire to preserve this paradise that we were given.

Our horses frolic beside the marsh, and sensations come and go with us on this wonderful trip, which is nearing its end, when the late night begins in the marshes of Doñana. Dishevelled and tired, we reached the Hotel, where we tied our horses, and enjoy a drink before the shower, then ready for the dinner, but this time will be only a salad, and a small sandwich in the hotel room. Sure you will understand it is just enough for the day

All is silence, music, light, smell, and colour, all that and more, is the best of my recommendations for any of you, who dares to come to Doñana, to be attended by Andrés and his team of professionals. They will put at your disposal all of their knowledge and dedication, to make you feel like a real privileged.

And here ends my weekend in nature, in the heart of Doñana. Next morning I will say goodbye to Andrés, and his team.

Adíos Toruño, goodbye Andrés, bye bye Doñana, I promise to return soon ….

September 2009

Talking about Doñana Blues, we must dive into its origins and the reason for being. All this leads us to know something about its creators, the owners and drivers of this great idea that became a reality, in the heart of Doñana.

Carmen, a native of Barcelona, was linked for a long time the real estate sector, where she has been working as a public relation. It has led her to its current role at the hotel.

Antonio, our peculiar gardener, was born in El Rocío, for many years was linked to Doñana, but eventually moved to Catalonia, where he met Carmen, there he were been related to various real estate developments, along with his two passions: the music, which lived for many years professionally, and the writing, its other great passion.

This particular couple, based originally in Catalonia, always had the idea of settling permanently in Matalascañas. Since Carmen knew the place, about 20 years ago, was born the idea to create a small haven of rest and relaxation.

This brings us to the year 2000, where after arduous negotiations and several visits, finally they found an ideal place for its size and location. They were ready to shape this project which began as a dream, years ago.

Antonio: “The beginning was hard, launching the project, I remember that Carmen was in Barcelona, managing and closing the real estate section, while I was travelling many times at Matalascañas for bureaucratic managements, control of the works, and many others issues, we needed for the Hotel implementation.”

Finally, by the year 2003, Doñana Blues opened its doors to the public, realizing the dream of these two entrepreneurs.

Antonio: “Many years in music, and finally came here to make my last song: Doñana Blues.”

The hotel was opened with just 12 rooms, and became 14 the next year, juts with the opening of its Coffee-Bar as we know today. A year later, in 2005, the swimming pool was opened, a perfect place to rest during the summer months in Matalascañas.

Carmen: “Since its origins this hotel has maintained a philosophy and commitment to a sustainable tourism, in the environment of Doñana, and therefore we have opted for improving quality in our services and facilities. Our target is to consolidate this boutique hotel, as a singular establishment of reference in Huelva.

Nowadays Doñana Blues, is a pleasant reality, which allow us to access another type of tourism, where the details, and the affection of its managers dominate the mass and the generic products that haunt us with globalization.

At the current touristic situation, we wonder what kind of customers entering the Doñana Blues.
Carmen: “Most of our customers are Spanish, mainly from Extremadura, Madrid and the north of the country, but also we must highlight the growing demand in external markets such as the British, German and French, among others.”

Finally, to complete this short interview, we would like to know what future vision gives us Doñana Blues.

Carmen: “Clearly, the future of Doñana Blues, is passing by the future of Huelva, where he must make a greater effort to attract new tourist markets, and to promote our destination against other competing markets, in and outside Spain. Obviously in this idyllic area, we have excellent beaches and an incomparable natural environment, but is our duty to improve infrastructures, services quality, and to believe in tourism, as the best investment for the future at our province. “

May 2009