Recent changes (as posted here) made by the UK TV broadcasters and Astra (the satellite operator), mean that you can now receive
BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, Cbeebie, CBBC, BBC News, BBC1 HD, BBC HD, ITV1, ITV1HD, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, Channel 4, Channel 4 HD, More 4, E4, Film 4, Five, Five USA and Five
for free, with no subscription, on a smaller satellite dish than previously required in Spain, the Costa Blanca, and the Communidad Valencia.
In some areas in Communidad Valencia an 80cm satellite dish is big enough to receive these channels.
In other areas of Communidad Valencia a larger 1m satellite dish is required.
It may be that your current satellite dish is big enough to receive these channels for free, but it may need realignment or a better quality LNB.
The availability of these channels on smaller satellite dishes is temporary, possibly only to the end of this year, when a new satellite is launched, which may change reception.
We can perform dish realignments from 30euros, supply stronger LNBs (LNBs from 15 Euros), or install a 1m dish for 125 Euros.
For more information on receiving these UK TV channels on small satellite dish in Spain, and prices for satellite dish and digibox installations please see : UK TV Channels Available on Small Satellite Dish. Free TV on an 80cm satellite dish. Free TV on an 1m satellite dish.ITV1. ITV2. ITV3. ITV4. Channel 4. Film 4. Costa Blanca. Spain. Digital Satellite Systems Costa Blanca Spain
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Earthquake in Torrevieja 5th February 2012
An earthquake of just 3 or 4 seconds long, has been felt in Torrevieja at 5:45am
The three seconds and 3,1 points on the Richter scale earthqueake has been felt in Torrevieja today, 5th of February 2012, at around 4:45 a.m.
The National Institute of Geology has confirmed an earthquake struck the Costa Blanca at around 4.45 on Sunday Morning (5th February).
According to the National Geografic Institute, the epicentre of this earthquake was pinpointed at a depth of just 11km located at sea, in Cabo de Palos, about 15 km from Torrevieja and 12 kilometers deep.
No damage has been caused at all apart from the surprise and nerviosism of those Torrevieja citizens who felt the tremor.
Reports that the ground also moved in surrounding areas including Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar to the South, and Almoradi and Guardamar to the West and North of Torrevieja.
The silence of the night, has made this tremor became much more noticeable, causing great alarm among people who are afraid to hear how the glass of the windows of their houses shaking.
In the last 12 months, there have been several tremors have been felt in the Torrevieja area, although of limited intensity.
The largest earthquake has been felt in recent months, was on 23 March 2011, reaching an intensity of 3.1 degrees, but had lower sensory impact occur at 11:28 a.m.
Almost two centuries ago Torrevieja was devastated by an earthquake.
On the 21th of March 1829, a 6,6 point on the Richter scale earthquake destroyed Torrevieja and many villages of the Vega Baja. As a result, 389 people died, 32 of which died in Torrevieja.
It is well documented that the area in and around Torrevieja is settled on fault lines: Benijuzar and Benijofar, Guardamar, and Torrevieja.
The three seconds and 3,1 points on the Richter scale earthqueake has been felt in Torrevieja today, 5th of February 2012, at around 4:45 a.m.
The National Institute of Geology has confirmed an earthquake struck the Costa Blanca at around 4.45 on Sunday Morning (5th February).
According to the National Geografic Institute, the epicentre of this earthquake was pinpointed at a depth of just 11km located at sea, in Cabo de Palos, about 15 km from Torrevieja and 12 kilometers deep.
No damage has been caused at all apart from the surprise and nerviosism of those Torrevieja citizens who felt the tremor.
Reports that the ground also moved in surrounding areas including Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar to the South, and Almoradi and Guardamar to the West and North of Torrevieja.
The silence of the night, has made this tremor became much more noticeable, causing great alarm among people who are afraid to hear how the glass of the windows of their houses shaking.
In the last 12 months, there have been several tremors have been felt in the Torrevieja area, although of limited intensity.
The largest earthquake has been felt in recent months, was on 23 March 2011, reaching an intensity of 3.1 degrees, but had lower sensory impact occur at 11:28 a.m.
Almost two centuries ago Torrevieja was devastated by an earthquake.
On the 21th of March 1829, a 6,6 point on the Richter scale earthquake destroyed Torrevieja and many villages of the Vega Baja. As a result, 389 people died, 32 of which died in Torrevieja.
It is well documented that the area in and around Torrevieja is settled on fault lines: Benijuzar and Benijofar, Guardamar, and Torrevieja.
Fallas 2012 Valencia 15th - 19th March 2012
The idea of Las Fallas de Valencia was first cooked up by the medieval guilds, especially the wood workers who swept up spare pieces of wood, shavings and junk into a huge bonfire on the feast day of their patron saint, St Joseph. As the inter-guild competition heated up, passions flared, so did creativity and bonfires now included bizarre effigies (fallas) of despised rivals. And so began a tradition that evolved into the major tourist attraction of Valencia. In the days of yore, effigies were made of unpopular people or events and strung up across streets and burnt. Today this still happens though the materials used are more sophisticated with these effigies being mounted on floats and platforms which are wheeled in a processions down the city streets.
Celebrations at Las Fallas de Valencia
The five day festival is a carnival of bonfires, fireworks, parades, shows, and other festivities, as it also celebrates the arrival of spring. Every day the day starts at 8 am sharp with a ‘wakeup call or la Desperata as it is called. Bands march down the main streets of the town and firecrackers are burned as peppy music rents the air.
At 2 pm it’s time for the La Mascleta which takes place in the different neighborhoods of the city – this is a run up to the main event of Mascleta held on 19 March at the Plaça de l’Ajuntamen. This is when fire crackers and pyrotechnics rule the roost and competitions are held to choose the brightest best fire! Prizes are also awarded for the most ingenious use of left over materials.
The spectacular event of garlanding Our Lady of the Forsaken takes place on 17 and 18 March at 4 pm when people offer flower garlands to the patron saint.
Every night there are firework displays in the city and the final one on the last night is the most magnificent with firecrackers and fireworks lighting up the skies.
Las Fallas gets under way on March 16, when all competing Fallas have to be completed. Taking in some cases up to a year to plan, design and build, these models are spread all over the city for the festive week. Some encapsulate entire scenes from cartoons and fairytales using sets of dwarf-sized figures called ninots.
The focus turns to religion on the following two days, with a Catholic procession known as La Ofrenda. At this time fallas makers ceremoniously bring flowers to the city’s central Plaza of the Virgin, which are used to decorate an enormous wooden-framed statue of Mary. The procession pageants that trail through the center of the city to the plaza on these days are a colorful and pretty sight, with many groups in period costumes and sassy Latin marching bands.
One feature of Las Fallas you definitely can’t ignore is the fireworks displays that blast all around town for the duration of the festival. Occurring three times daily, the fireworks kick off with an 8am display known as la despertà. At 2pm at the main Plaza del Ayuntamiento there is a gigantic fireworks display called la mascletà that centers around a 120-kilo gunpowder blast. Perhaps the most special of the three is el castillo, the midnight fireworks display that reaches its height on the final night of the festival, dubbed la nit de foc, or “night of fire”.
The climax of Las Fallas is la cremà, the night when each of the models in turn is set alight between 10pm and 1am. This dramatic, unusual display may appear like a harrowing street riot at first, but once you adjust your eyes you can enjoy the festival atmosphere and communal sense of seasonal renewal.
Celebrations at Las Fallas de Valencia
The five day festival is a carnival of bonfires, fireworks, parades, shows, and other festivities, as it also celebrates the arrival of spring. Every day the day starts at 8 am sharp with a ‘wakeup call or la Desperata as it is called. Bands march down the main streets of the town and firecrackers are burned as peppy music rents the air.
At 2 pm it’s time for the La Mascleta which takes place in the different neighborhoods of the city – this is a run up to the main event of Mascleta held on 19 March at the Plaça de l’Ajuntamen. This is when fire crackers and pyrotechnics rule the roost and competitions are held to choose the brightest best fire! Prizes are also awarded for the most ingenious use of left over materials.
The spectacular event of garlanding Our Lady of the Forsaken takes place on 17 and 18 March at 4 pm when people offer flower garlands to the patron saint.
Every night there are firework displays in the city and the final one on the last night is the most magnificent with firecrackers and fireworks lighting up the skies.
Las Fallas gets under way on March 16, when all competing Fallas have to be completed. Taking in some cases up to a year to plan, design and build, these models are spread all over the city for the festive week. Some encapsulate entire scenes from cartoons and fairytales using sets of dwarf-sized figures called ninots.
The focus turns to religion on the following two days, with a Catholic procession known as La Ofrenda. At this time fallas makers ceremoniously bring flowers to the city’s central Plaza of the Virgin, which are used to decorate an enormous wooden-framed statue of Mary. The procession pageants that trail through the center of the city to the plaza on these days are a colorful and pretty sight, with many groups in period costumes and sassy Latin marching bands.
One feature of Las Fallas you definitely can’t ignore is the fireworks displays that blast all around town for the duration of the festival. Occurring three times daily, the fireworks kick off with an 8am display known as la despertà. At 2pm at the main Plaza del Ayuntamiento there is a gigantic fireworks display called la mascletà that centers around a 120-kilo gunpowder blast. Perhaps the most special of the three is el castillo, the midnight fireworks display that reaches its height on the final night of the festival, dubbed la nit de foc, or “night of fire”.
The climax of Las Fallas is la cremà, the night when each of the models in turn is set alight between 10pm and 1am. This dramatic, unusual display may appear like a harrowing street riot at first, but once you adjust your eyes you can enjoy the festival atmosphere and communal sense of seasonal renewal.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Fallas Museum in Gandia
From Friday February 24 until Friday March 9, there will be a free exhibition of this year’s selected puppets at the Fallas Museum in Gandia.
This museum is unique in the world for being the first interactive museum and multimedia the Valencia festival for excellence: ‘The Fallas’.
The Fallas festival in Gandia is celebrated on March 19, but with this museum it is possible for visitors to get to know about the party at other times.
It has been nearly four years since it opened in 2008 and since then this interpretive centre has become a landmark for those who want to learn more about this traditional party in general and its relationship with the city of Gandia in particular.
The Fallas Museum of Gandia is a 4,500 square meter multipurpose building and boasts a large theatre with seating capacity for 572, as well as several meetings rooms, offices a terrace cafe, the museum and parking.
“It was built not only to offer information to the public, but also to serve the demands of companies and institutions and provide technical resources,” said museum manager Pere Cremades.
“The Interpretation Centre is a modern Fallas museum showing visitors the traditions and customs related to the Valencian festival par excellence.
Its history, types of clothing, which are hand-made, add-ons for the grooming of Fallas, its relationship to culture and society, the pyrotechnics, the monuments and the creation process.
It also explains the ‘Casal Faller’ social and local Fallas of the different associations, and finally the music and ‘llibret’ as a sign of satirical literary creativity of them.” This is all explained in an interactive way through multimedia.
“All the texts are written in Spanish, Valencian and English,” said Cremades. “We have visitors of various nationalities and ages including groups of university and school students, tourists, families, pensioner and social groups.”
In addition to the museum, visitors can enjoy other activities. “School groups can complete their visit with craft workshops,” said Cremades.
“There are also frequent exhibitions and once a year we celebrate Favila, the fair of the Fallas festival. We are also creating a workshop for adults.”
For more information on the museum see www.museufaller.org and on the Fallas festival www.fallesdegandia.org
source: euroweeklynews.com/news/costa-blanca/costa-blanca-north/90957-unique-chance-to-visit-gandia-fallas-museum
This museum is unique in the world for being the first interactive museum and multimedia the Valencia festival for excellence: ‘The Fallas’.
The Fallas festival in Gandia is celebrated on March 19, but with this museum it is possible for visitors to get to know about the party at other times.
It has been nearly four years since it opened in 2008 and since then this interpretive centre has become a landmark for those who want to learn more about this traditional party in general and its relationship with the city of Gandia in particular.
The Fallas Museum of Gandia is a 4,500 square meter multipurpose building and boasts a large theatre with seating capacity for 572, as well as several meetings rooms, offices a terrace cafe, the museum and parking.
“It was built not only to offer information to the public, but also to serve the demands of companies and institutions and provide technical resources,” said museum manager Pere Cremades.
“The Interpretation Centre is a modern Fallas museum showing visitors the traditions and customs related to the Valencian festival par excellence.
Its history, types of clothing, which are hand-made, add-ons for the grooming of Fallas, its relationship to culture and society, the pyrotechnics, the monuments and the creation process.
It also explains the ‘Casal Faller’ social and local Fallas of the different associations, and finally the music and ‘llibret’ as a sign of satirical literary creativity of them.” This is all explained in an interactive way through multimedia.
“All the texts are written in Spanish, Valencian and English,” said Cremades. “We have visitors of various nationalities and ages including groups of university and school students, tourists, families, pensioner and social groups.”
In addition to the museum, visitors can enjoy other activities. “School groups can complete their visit with craft workshops,” said Cremades.
“There are also frequent exhibitions and once a year we celebrate Favila, the fair of the Fallas festival. We are also creating a workshop for adults.”
For more information on the museum see www.museufaller.org and on the Fallas festival www.fallesdegandia.org
source: euroweeklynews.com/news/costa-blanca/costa-blanca-north/90957-unique-chance-to-visit-gandia-fallas-museum
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Great prices on flight deals from Jet2.com from UK Airports
Great prices on flight deals from Jet2.com from UK Airports
Great prices on Jet2 Flights from Leeds Bradford Airport
Leeds Bradford to Alicante from £26.99.
Leeds Bradford to Malaga from £21.99.
Leeds Bradford to Murcia from £26.99.
Great prices on Jet2 Flights from Manchester Airport
Manchester to Alicante from £31.99.
Manchester to Malaga from £31.99.
Manchester to Murcia from £31.99.
Deals expire 24th March 2012
Terms and conditions may apply.
Great prices on Jet2 Flights from Leeds Bradford Airport
Leeds Bradford to Alicante from £26.99.
Leeds Bradford to Malaga from £21.99.
Leeds Bradford to Murcia from £26.99.
Great prices on Jet2 Flights from Manchester Airport
Manchester to Alicante from £31.99.
Manchester to Malaga from £31.99.
Manchester to Murcia from £31.99.
Deals expire 24th March 2012
Terms and conditions may apply.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Costa lot less! Holidays in Spain on the rise as prices at resorts drop by 40%
Spain could attract a new wave of British holidaymakers following evidence that resort prices have crashed by as much as 40 per cent compared to five years ago.
A fall in local prices on everything from a restaurant meal to suncream has combined with the fact that the pound is at a two year high against the euro to make the Costas more affordable.
The claims come from an annual survey conducted by the Post Office, which measures the prices of eight items in resorts across 33 destinations around the world
Spain comes out as the second cheapest destination with a price of £37.72 for the eight items, while Sri Lanka, which has seen serious political unrest, was the best value at just £27.95.
At the other end of the scale was Australia at a staggering £115.69 for the same items, together with Barbados, Singapore and New Zealand.
The number of visits by Britons to Spain has slumped by more than three million over the past five years, coming down to less than 10.5million
High prices, the cost of living squeeze and a desire among Britons to try new and more exotic locations have all played their part in the fall.
However, the Post Office research suggests Spain will now become more attractive, particularly at a time when people are desperate to save money.
The firm’s Holiday Money Report concluded: ‘Resort prices in the Costa del Sol are now 40per cent lower than five years ago, when we conducted the first price barometer.
‘The cheaper cost of travel to Spain will make it a compelling choice for bargain hunters. So does the rising value of the UK pound - up 6.4 per cent against the euro in the past three months.’
The eight items included in the price comparison are a cup of coffee in a bar or café; a bottle of local beer; a can of Coca-Cola; a 1.5 litre bottle of mineral water from a supermarket; a bottle of suncream; insect repellent; a pack of cigarettes; and a three course evening meal for two adults, including a bottle of house wine.
The fact that the selection of items is small, while they are not bought from exactly the same outlet every year, suggests the figures can be skewed. However, they give a general indication of the shift in prices.
The researchers found resort prices have risen in two-thirds of the destinations it surveyed. The biggest rises were recorded in Kenya, where the basket was 52 per cent more expensive than a year ago, and Portugal, where the increase found was 39 per cent.
However, the report found that sterling is stronger against 29 other major currencies than a year ago, which should help offset higher resort prices.
Turkey has seen a tourism boom in recent years on the basis of its perception as a cheap option. This year, it only placed 17th in terms of the cheapest option, while it was 60per cent more expensive than Spain.
The Post Office head of travel money, Sarah Munro, said: ‘Given that sterling is worth around 20 per cent more than a year ago against the Turkish lira, we expected to see a lower barometer cost for Turkey, especially as the country had a disappointing 2011.
‘However, we were surprised to find that local costs have actually risen by 21 per cent and it is only the strong sterling exchange rate that is masking that increase.
‘It will be interesting to see how Turkish resorts respond to the challenge presented by Spain and Portugal. With Greek tourism also facing a fight for survival, we could see a price war between the eastern and western Med in 2012.’
Italy came out as the most expensive European destination with the basket of items costing £89.03.
Miss Munro said: ‘The message that came out clearly from our holiday budgeting research was that 2012 will be all about affordability. Holidays may still be a priority but they are not a necessity and people will not knowingly get into debt to fund them.
‘The winning destinations will be those that offer good value not just for flights and accommodation, but for tourist staples like meals out and drinks.”
‘However, it will pay people to keep a watchful eye on exchange rate movements as well as considering easy ways to save money.’
source: dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2085944/Costa-lot-Holidays-Spain-rise-prices-resorts-drop-40.html
A fall in local prices on everything from a restaurant meal to suncream has combined with the fact that the pound is at a two year high against the euro to make the Costas more affordable.
The claims come from an annual survey conducted by the Post Office, which measures the prices of eight items in resorts across 33 destinations around the world
Spain comes out as the second cheapest destination with a price of £37.72 for the eight items, while Sri Lanka, which has seen serious political unrest, was the best value at just £27.95.
At the other end of the scale was Australia at a staggering £115.69 for the same items, together with Barbados, Singapore and New Zealand.
The number of visits by Britons to Spain has slumped by more than three million over the past five years, coming down to less than 10.5million
High prices, the cost of living squeeze and a desire among Britons to try new and more exotic locations have all played their part in the fall.
However, the Post Office research suggests Spain will now become more attractive, particularly at a time when people are desperate to save money.
The firm’s Holiday Money Report concluded: ‘Resort prices in the Costa del Sol are now 40per cent lower than five years ago, when we conducted the first price barometer.
‘The cheaper cost of travel to Spain will make it a compelling choice for bargain hunters. So does the rising value of the UK pound - up 6.4 per cent against the euro in the past three months.’
The eight items included in the price comparison are a cup of coffee in a bar or café; a bottle of local beer; a can of Coca-Cola; a 1.5 litre bottle of mineral water from a supermarket; a bottle of suncream; insect repellent; a pack of cigarettes; and a three course evening meal for two adults, including a bottle of house wine.
The fact that the selection of items is small, while they are not bought from exactly the same outlet every year, suggests the figures can be skewed. However, they give a general indication of the shift in prices.
The researchers found resort prices have risen in two-thirds of the destinations it surveyed. The biggest rises were recorded in Kenya, where the basket was 52 per cent more expensive than a year ago, and Portugal, where the increase found was 39 per cent.
However, the report found that sterling is stronger against 29 other major currencies than a year ago, which should help offset higher resort prices.
Turkey has seen a tourism boom in recent years on the basis of its perception as a cheap option. This year, it only placed 17th in terms of the cheapest option, while it was 60per cent more expensive than Spain.
The Post Office head of travel money, Sarah Munro, said: ‘Given that sterling is worth around 20 per cent more than a year ago against the Turkish lira, we expected to see a lower barometer cost for Turkey, especially as the country had a disappointing 2011.
‘However, we were surprised to find that local costs have actually risen by 21 per cent and it is only the strong sterling exchange rate that is masking that increase.
‘It will be interesting to see how Turkish resorts respond to the challenge presented by Spain and Portugal. With Greek tourism also facing a fight for survival, we could see a price war between the eastern and western Med in 2012.’
Italy came out as the most expensive European destination with the basket of items costing £89.03.
Miss Munro said: ‘The message that came out clearly from our holiday budgeting research was that 2012 will be all about affordability. Holidays may still be a priority but they are not a necessity and people will not knowingly get into debt to fund them.
‘The winning destinations will be those that offer good value not just for flights and accommodation, but for tourist staples like meals out and drinks.”
‘However, it will pay people to keep a watchful eye on exchange rate movements as well as considering easy ways to save money.’
source: dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2085944/Costa-lot-Holidays-Spain-rise-prices-resorts-drop-40.html
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Vuelta a Espana - La Vuelta 2012 route announced
The route of the 67th edition of La Vuelta has been presented in Navarre, with 21 gruelling stages awaiting the riders.
The tour will begin with a team time-trial in Pamplona, Navarre and continue into the Basque Country, La Rioja, Aragon, Catalonia and Galicia. Later, the tour will move to Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla Leon, before the final stages in Madrid.
The Vuelta kicks off on August 18 with a 16.2 km team time trial in Pamplona along some of the streets used for the city's famous 'bull-runs'.
The first of seven mountain-top finishes comes on stage three to the Monte Arrate in the Basque Country, with a brief incursion into the Pyrenees of Andorra on stage eight.
Following a rare visit to Barcelona and a lengthy 1,200 km transfer to Galicia, the second week's hilly 42 km individual time trial and three summit finishes in northern Spain in as many days will likely decide the race overall.
Stage 18's dauntingly steep climb to the infamous Covadonga Lakes, home to some of western Europe's last wolves, is followed by an unprecedented 23-km ascent to Cuitu Negro in the Picos de Europa mountain range on stage 19.
The race's final showdown is a repeat of 2010's ascent along three kilometres of rough cement track to the Bola del Mundo summit finish, close to Madrid.
Samuel Sanchez was among the riders at the presentation, and he said: "My principal targets this season are the Tour de France and the Olympic Games. My favourite for winning La Vuelta is Joaquim Rodriguez"
Meanwhile, Denis Menchov said: "The Tour de France is my objective, but I think I will ride in La Vuelta. We have not got any problem with Joaquim (Rodriguez) for the leadership within Katusha."
LA VUELTA 2012 ITINERARY:
Saturday 18 August - Step 1: Pamplona - Pamplona, Team time (16 km)
Sunday 19 August - Stage 2: Pamplona - Viana (180 km)
Monday August 20 - Stage 3 - Oion - Arrate (Eibar) - Final high (153 km)
Tuesday August 21 - Step 4: Baracaldo - Valdezcaray - Final high - (155 km)
Wednesday 22 August - Step 5: Logrono - Logrono (172 km)
Thursday August 22 - Step 6: Zaragoza (Tarazona) - The Fort Rapitan (Jaca) (Final up) (174 km)
Friday 23 August - Step 7: Jaca - Motorland (Alcaniz) (160 km)
Saturday 25 August - Step 8: Lleida - Sanctuary Canolich (Coll de la Gallina) - Final high (175 km)
Sunday August 26 - Stage 9 - Andorra - Barcelona (194 km)
Monday August 27 - Rest
Tuesday August 28 - Stage 10: Ponteareas - Sanxenxo
Wednesday 29 August - Stage 11: Cambados - Pontevedra, Individual time trial
Thursday August 30 - Stage 12: Vilagarcia - Mirador de Ezaro (La Coruna)
Friday 31 August - Step 12: Santiago de Compostela - Ferrol
Saturday 1 September - Step 14: Lugo - The Ancares - Final high
Sunday 2 September - Stage 15: The Oak - Lagos de Covadonga - Final high
Monday 3 septiemre - Step 16: Gijon (Villa de Jovellanos) - Black Cuitu - Final high
Tuesday 4 September - Rest day
Wednesday 5 September - Step 17: Santander - Power
Thursday 6 September - Step 18: Aguilar de Campo - Valladolid
Friday 7 September - Stage 19: Penafiel - The Lastrilla
Saturday 8 September - Stage 20: The Faisanera Golf - Bola del Mundo - Final high
Sunday 9 September - Stage 21: Cercedilla - Madrid
The tour will begin with a team time-trial in Pamplona, Navarre and continue into the Basque Country, La Rioja, Aragon, Catalonia and Galicia. Later, the tour will move to Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla Leon, before the final stages in Madrid.
The Vuelta kicks off on August 18 with a 16.2 km team time trial in Pamplona along some of the streets used for the city's famous 'bull-runs'.
The first of seven mountain-top finishes comes on stage three to the Monte Arrate in the Basque Country, with a brief incursion into the Pyrenees of Andorra on stage eight.
Following a rare visit to Barcelona and a lengthy 1,200 km transfer to Galicia, the second week's hilly 42 km individual time trial and three summit finishes in northern Spain in as many days will likely decide the race overall.
Stage 18's dauntingly steep climb to the infamous Covadonga Lakes, home to some of western Europe's last wolves, is followed by an unprecedented 23-km ascent to Cuitu Negro in the Picos de Europa mountain range on stage 19.
The race's final showdown is a repeat of 2010's ascent along three kilometres of rough cement track to the Bola del Mundo summit finish, close to Madrid.
Samuel Sanchez was among the riders at the presentation, and he said: "My principal targets this season are the Tour de France and the Olympic Games. My favourite for winning La Vuelta is Joaquim Rodriguez"
Meanwhile, Denis Menchov said: "The Tour de France is my objective, but I think I will ride in La Vuelta. We have not got any problem with Joaquim (Rodriguez) for the leadership within Katusha."
LA VUELTA 2012 ITINERARY:
Saturday 18 August - Step 1: Pamplona - Pamplona, Team time (16 km)
Sunday 19 August - Stage 2: Pamplona - Viana (180 km)
Monday August 20 - Stage 3 - Oion - Arrate (Eibar) - Final high (153 km)
Tuesday August 21 - Step 4: Baracaldo - Valdezcaray - Final high - (155 km)
Wednesday 22 August - Step 5: Logrono - Logrono (172 km)
Thursday August 22 - Step 6: Zaragoza (Tarazona) - The Fort Rapitan (Jaca) (Final up) (174 km)
Friday 23 August - Step 7: Jaca - Motorland (Alcaniz) (160 km)
Saturday 25 August - Step 8: Lleida - Sanctuary Canolich (Coll de la Gallina) - Final high (175 km)
Sunday August 26 - Stage 9 - Andorra - Barcelona (194 km)
Monday August 27 - Rest
Tuesday August 28 - Stage 10: Ponteareas - Sanxenxo
Wednesday 29 August - Stage 11: Cambados - Pontevedra, Individual time trial
Thursday August 30 - Stage 12: Vilagarcia - Mirador de Ezaro (La Coruna)
Friday 31 August - Step 12: Santiago de Compostela - Ferrol
Saturday 1 September - Step 14: Lugo - The Ancares - Final high
Sunday 2 September - Stage 15: The Oak - Lagos de Covadonga - Final high
Monday 3 septiemre - Step 16: Gijon (Villa de Jovellanos) - Black Cuitu - Final high
Tuesday 4 September - Rest day
Wednesday 5 September - Step 17: Santander - Power
Thursday 6 September - Step 18: Aguilar de Campo - Valladolid
Friday 7 September - Stage 19: Penafiel - The Lastrilla
Saturday 8 September - Stage 20: The Faisanera Golf - Bola del Mundo - Final high
Sunday 9 September - Stage 21: Cercedilla - Madrid
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