Travel Tips

Posts Tagged ‘Spain’

You are able to find hundreds of appealing winter sun holiday destinations about the globe. Including the beaches of Thailand to the cool blue waters of the Caribbean. But if you live in the UK and are seeking the closest winter sun vacation spot to home then the Canary Islands will be the number 1 selection. On the grounds that air flights to these islands take a miserly 4 hours and are generally obtainable from all UK airports.

In case you were unaware , the Canaries are all owned by Spain and comprise seven islands in total. Lanzarote is one of the most well-liked with tourists and could be located close to the West African coastline. It´s far more arid and less verdant than the other islands inside the chain thanks to its volcanic origins, low rainfall figures and close proximity to the Sahara desert. But the weather here is fantastic and holidaymakers can bask in temperatures of as much as 25 degrees Celsius in the course of the winter months.

The favourite type of accommodation with travellers coming to Lanzarote has long been the outstanding selection of Lanzarote villas and apartments, with properties now obtainable in all the primary resorts in addition to the countryside. Most villas come equipped with private swimming pools in addition to plenty of other luxury extras for example Jacuzzis and hot tubs. And prices are reasonable, starting from about €600 per week for a standard two bedroom villa boasting its own pool.

For those who prefer tranquility on your holiday vacation then this island boasts some delightful rural villas, but in case you favor a little more to do then the major resort of Puerto del Carmen is a superb destination. Those hunting for self catering accommodation may also see that there are plenty of Lanzarote holiday villas just waiting to be booked. Among them is Villa Mare, which is a luxurious residence situated in Los Mojones, a calm and up-market enclave in the heart of the resort. Here guests will enjoy astonishing views down to the shore and out over the Atlantic below to the island of Fuerteventura.

This outstanding property has now also been refurbished to a superb standard and features five bed rooms which have recently been decorated in a contemporary and classy manner. In addition to a large private pool, ample sunbathing terraces together with a Barbecue and open air eating area that is simply perfect for enjoying al fresco meals.

Playa Blanca is the second most well-liked resort on the island, and also boasts wonderful beaches and some top quality holiday accommodation options also. On the accommodation side many Playa Blanca villas for rent may be booked by simply visiting many of the Lanzarote accommodation web sites.

The area has a whole host of places of interest that enhance the lists of reasons to visit the island and it is worthwhile to enjoy these yourself, so if you need to hire a vehicle you’ll find this is modestly priced too so it’s convenient and as a result affordable, and there is no excuse for not getting out and explore, and discover for yourself the way of life of Lanzarote by taking part in any one of the countless local festivals that take place all year round.

Preparing for a holiday getaway in the Canaries this fall? This delightful group of islands are the preferred vacation location for overseas vacationers after Catalonia, and deliver terrific weather all year long as a result of their ideal geographic location.

The largest and most commonly known island is Tenerife, home to the towering Mount Teide, that rises majestically to 3718 metres above the island creating an astounding contrast with its snow capped peak to the sun baked beaches delightfully dotted along the the islands coast at sea level. Like many islands in the Canary islands, the south of the island is home to the main tourist resorts, as opposed to the northern area tends to be cloudier, and this is where the main urban and commercial centres are located.

By comparison Lanzarote is a smaller island, approximately 40km by 60km– and on the plus size hasn’t been exposed to mindless commercial development, so is much more akin to a natural unblemished island.

So anyone wanting to really get away from it all on their Canary Islands vacation should make a bee-line to Lanzarote, as the island is home to extraordinary spectacular scenery, and in particular in the north. Akin to its close neighbour Tenerife you’ll find that the main resorts are located in the islands southern most reaches and this is where visitors will find the finest accommodation accommodation; with large numbers of apartments and Lanzarote holiday villas available for booking.

Of Lanzarote’s two premier resorts Puerto del Carmen is undoubtedly the most popular, bragging a plethora of great beaches combined with the traditional style of the Old Town harbour area. In addition there are an abundance of hotels and villas in Puerto del Carmen for anyone searching for places to stay.

Playa Blanca is slightly smaller and quieter and is known as a amiable, chilled out location which is definitely not so focused on night life as many of the much more energetic parts of Lanzarote, instead the goal here on the whole is nurturing the charm and peace of this old fishing port. But fortunately you’ll still find a broad choice of self catering apartments and villas in the area with year round availability

This wonderful blend of hospitable resorts, sun drenched beaches and extraordinary natural landscapes make Lanzarote a awe-inspiring and unforgettable holiday hot spot, so be sure to check it out.

Great quality food and drink is one of the most important elements that makes for a memorable holiday abroad. And on Lanzarote visitors can enjoy the unique flavours of the Canaries, both in their hotel accommodation and when they get out and about exploring the island. Thanks to the fact that there are loads of excellent restaurants to explore and Car hire in Lanzarote is both cheap and readily available.

Despite the fact that it is in island located in the Atlantic traditional dishes on Lanzarote tend to be meat rather than fish based. Rabbit and goat are both extremely popular and feature on the menus of all good traditional local restaurants. And the island is also famed for its excellent goat cheeses, which combine very well with locally produced wines, such as El Grifo. Which is still produced in one of the oldest bodegas in the Canaries, dating back to the 1770´s.

Many Lanzarote hotels put on a special banquet of local produce at least once a week. Usually in the form of a special Canary Night gala. Which features these dishes along with other local favourites such as prawns in garlic. And they will also find that these can be washed down with Canarian lagers such as Tropical and Dorada, which are brewerd on Gran Canaria and Tenerife respectively. Honey rum is also popular as an after dinner drink and is usually served with coffee. For anyone staying in one of the many Lanzarote villas or apartments available for rent the basic ingredients of these dishes can all be bought in local markets should they wish to try cooking them for themselves.

For those who can be bothered to cook there are plenty of restaurants to choose from and a lot of the best are located in the countryside away from the main resorts. The north of the island is home to some of the finest, such as Ikarus in Teguise, once Lanzarote´s capital city. And Lagomar in Oasis de Nazaret which was once the home of the film star Omar Sharif and which now houses one of the best restaurants on Lanzarote.

Getting to the island has never been easier as there are now flights to Lanzarote that are surprisingly affordable given the fact that it is a four hour journey time from the UK. Fares have really fallen over the last few years though and returns to this small island located off the coast of Africa are available from most airports in the UK.

Barcelona is glorious in the daytime with the glorious beaches surrounding this town, as well as the amazing museums, studios, shopping and parks. There is so much to do in the daytime, especially on a nice day. And the fun does not stop when the sun sets, there is also though plenty to do in the evenings in Barcelona. Check out a couple of our ideas. The are some great Barcelona apartments to rent in the city to make your stay even better.

1. Visit the ‘Magic Fountain of Montjuic ‘ and see one of the rather amazing firework displays, with the fireworks set to the sound of classical music. The free performances occur at the Placa Espanya in the summer months and winter months in the evenings, sometimes on Fridays and Saturdays. Days and times alter and you will find out precise info from the local tourist office.

2. Go to an FC Barcelona match. The Nou Camp Stadium is considered to be one of the finest soccer stadiums in the world. Holding just about 100,000 people, the Nou camp is home to the powerful FC Barcelona. You can generally grab tickets for the Barcelona home games although champs League games are sometimes sold out ahead so book early.

3. Eat in a great restaurant such as the Catalan restaurant named ; Madrid Barcelona ‘. This is my favorite restaurant in Barcelona and the mix of fair prices, good service, tasty food and nice dcor make this a superb place to eat. This eaterie has been open since the 1920s and can be found at Carrer d’Arago, 282, Barcelona.

4. Walk along the boardwalk. In the summer months it stays light until nearly 10pm and you can love taking a pleasing stroll along the lengthy boardwalk. There are many bars and eateries along the boardwalk therefore it could be a awfully agreeable area to spend an evening. In the early hours like 1am or 2am this area can then become a bit more loud where all of the bars are situated and a much younger early twenties crowd take over. If you are young and looking to party throughout the night then this is perfect. For older people after 10 or 11pm this area may be less fascinating but do enjoy the early evenings on the boardwalk.

5. The touristy area of La Rambla can be energetic throughout the evenings, with many street performers, food stalls, restaurants and bars open and energetic. You have to be careful in the sense that the bars and cafes are far more costly that what you will find one or two streets away, nonetheless it is lively if vibrant is what you are looking for. There are numerous areas which are vibrant at night in Barcelona so just jump on the Barcelona Metro and explore. Public transport in Barcelona is very inexpensive and efficient. To be in amongst the action Barcelona apartment rentals are ideal for your stay in the city.
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What could ever be more inviting then having a wonderfully eclectic meal with a pretty view of the ocean? If you are like the majority, there are not too many things that even come near in comparison. Some of the loveliest beaches in the world are found in Barcelona Spain. With its stunning landscapes and the view of the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea it’s no surprise that many folk exploit Barcelona beach cafes. Furthermore, Saint Valentine is approaching, this article will provide you with information if you want to take your sweetheart out to dinner in Barcelona, and check this out for Barcelona discounts for Valentine’s Day.

Though Catalan cuisine is considered top class, Spanish regional cooking is nothing to giggle at. And if you can’t make it to all the corners of the country, try some of the regional centers through Barcelona which permit you to sample the unique gastronomy from north to south. The Casa Gallega ( Galician House ) on La Rambla, 35, serves up some of the regions finest shellfish with their famous Albario wine, a chilled white that’s rapidly become internationally famous. Wines of a different hue take prime position at Casa de la Rioja, ( c / Peu de la Creu, eight ) which also includes specializations like marinated anchovies and broad beans with cuttlefish. Ultimately, for some top-flight tapas without stepping foot in San Sebastian, head to the Centre Cultural Euskal Etxea ( Placesta Montcada, 1 ) where you’ll be able to find amazing octopus, slabs of award winning idiazabal cheese and eggs with prawns.

The Mediterranean diet is world renowned as being balanced and key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle . One of the keystones to this diet is fish and seafood, and Barcelona is a good place to try the fruits of the sea, with a busy port and lots of options to get those taste buds shivering!

The old fisherman’s quarters of La Barceloneta lie right next to the beach and those narrow streets have some of the oldest and most established restaurants serving the freshest fish and seafood to this day. So when the new red-brick building which now homes the Catalan History Museum was commissioned, there was to be space underneath for the elite restaurants from Barceloneta to pick their spot. In brief, the best places in the old fishermans community were given their choice of eaterie space. Now, since that time, to my mind, some of those restaurants have let their standards slide a little , given the proven fact that they may easily fill tables on their terraces on a summers day due to the prime location. This is all aside from one El Merendero de la Mari that has maintained the best standards since Mari used to make the broth for the Paella and those Mariners mussels. For me, they just have got everything right, from the waiters and the crockery and cutlery ( sounds stupid, I know, and I’m no eaterie critic, but stuff like that stick in your brain ) to the wine and the velocity of service. Find much more tips about restaurants and more in foursquare Barcelona.

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Like many great European cities, the Catalonian capital comes alive over the Christmas period. There seem to be various traditions and activities meant for all ages, like thrilling festivals that capture the real soul of Christmas. It is a great occasion to spend a holiday in the Catalonian capital for the duration of Christmas.
You will hear singing all around, traditional foods that are simply valued during this time. You will also discover that many places such as museums celebrate these holidays, but are not open on Christmas Day.

Whit lights all over the places you go, just before Christmas the beautiful metropolis of Barcelona undergoes an alteration from the traditional look. You will discover decorations in stores throughout the town.
There is a Christmas market each winter called the feria de Santa Lucia which is in function from the first part of December till Christmas eve. It is located in the Plaça de la Seu and Plaça Nova and has an array of hand created items in addition to conventional nativity scenes. There are as well many options to see the Christmas essentials like the Christmas trees. If you are preparing a visit to Barcelona, find the ideal location in hotels a Barcelone.

Christmas is a traditional holiday for families, and it is not the exception in the Catalonian capital – you will come across travelers stuffing the bars while families come together and celebrate the ending of the year. Every Spanish household is adorned with the typical Nativity scene, nonetheless there is maybe a character, that not everyone would recognize.

The Caganer has been an typical part of the Barcelona Christmas landscape since the 18th century. The Caganer is a personage, usually in the appearance of a pottery item, that represents an iconic Catalan peasant. Don’t miss Christmas in Barcelona and book your hotels Barcelone before your arrival.

On Christmas Eve in Barcelona you will find it stuffed with particular visitors. Mainly the homes with little ones will get a visit from the “caga tió”: a sphere-shaped wooden log representing the giving of presents. This log marks the beginning of the holiday time and that Santa Claus is approaching. This is also the vacation many people meet and spend some time outdoors.

On Christmas morning the tree will fill up with presents and the day is spent on opening the gifts they have received and an unusual dinner. The day following Christmas is called Stephen’s Day and is only correctly enjoyed together with Cannelloni.

We may be in the land of the Catalans but that hasn’t stopped them welcoming a chunk of culture from another part of Spain. You see, in Poble Espanyol near your appartement Barcelone you will be in a position to submerge yourself in something very Andalusian.

In the Tablao de Carmen spectators can witness on an everyday basis mesmerizing shows mixing authentic Spanish dance and music.

The Tablao de Carmen was made as a tribute to Carmen Amaya, a famous Flamenco dancer who made her name in Barcelona. She was born in 1913 in a hobo quarter in the area now known as Vila-Olmpica. It was in 1929 before King Alfonso XIII that she made her debut and it’s in this very location that the Tablao de Carmen was set up.

The shows put on by this organisation are renowned for delivering only shows of the very best quality. Viewers are warranted great rhythms to go with the dance. Widely known Spanish artists, accompanied by ambitious artists hunting for their enormous break, (tablaos have historically acted as a springboard for young artists) participate alongside the dancers.

The show explores the various different sides of Flamenco so visitors can actually absorb the diversity of this musical art. Guests will be spoilt rotten with the focus of the show alternating between music, song and dance.

The location is superb too. Designed mainly with the colors of southern Spain under consideration , albero yellow and red ochre, the room is laid out like a small theatre guaranteeing each table has a wonderful view of the entertainment.

But you can really make a night of this event as there’s the choice of being served dinner or tapas before the show. Guests can buy dinner and show tickets or simply just avoid the dinner and pay a little less to observe the show.

For 69 you can enjoy dinner and the show. At 45 you will get tapas and for 35 you may just see the show, but of course be ready to buy drinks ( a jar of sangria is refilled for free )

It is located at Avenida Marqus de Comillas in Poble Espanyol. Its a short walk from Plaa Espanya which can on occasion be reached by taking the green or red metro line from your location appartement Barcelone.

If you are searching for a city break to escape from the stress of the ever nearing holiday rush, or are just looking to do some Yuletide shopping to get those presents that no one else will have bought, then Barcelona is the place to be. With an inspiring number of shops, Yuletide markets, holiday maker attractions and general Yuletide spirit, there actually isnt a better place to be to spend that special weekend away irrespective of what the reason be.

Shopping

There are such a lot of places to go in Barcelona that all offer their own special quality. For all of the major high street names ( Spanish form of course ) then you want to go to Carrer Portaferrisa and Porta del Angel, just off square Catalunya and Las Ramblas where you’ll find Zara, HM, Bershka, Stradivarius and accept it or not, brook Island. If you are attempting to find something quirkier that exudes originality, you want to hop on the metro and head for Gracia. Here you will find countless small boutiques specialising in hand made jewellery, attire and accessories. Here youll be guaranteed to find that original present that no one else will be wearing. For home made crafts and jewellery, a visit to the market at the Port end of Las Ramblas is an absolute must.

Tourism

Theres a never ending list of places one must visit while in Barcelona. However , at Yuletide time, there are two places that I might strongly advise you visit. First off, La Sagrada Famila is not to be missed. Gaudis infamous half finished church, this attraction is a complete must anytime of the year. But the perspectives fro the pinnacle of the turrets permit you to enjoy the Yuletide lights of the entire town from a birds eye view. There is also a little Yuletide market situated in the diagonally opposite square. The second attraction that shouldn’t be missed is Las Ramblas ; a major tourist attraction all the year round, the bright Yuletide lights make it very impressive. Another recommendation is to take a walk round the city to determine if you’ll find the enjoyment of the Yuletide spirit.

Yuletide Market

The primary Barcelona Yuletide Market is in the Cathedral square and will most likely be there until Yuletide Eve. There are numerous stalls all devoted to normal Catalan Yuletide decorations like those like Caga Ti and Caganer. If you are missing something from your nativity scene or simply need an extra bit of tinsel for your tree or a new Yuletide hat, then make certain to pop down to the market.

Do not forget to book your location appartement Barcelone beforehand as the appartement Barcelone get bookes up quite quickly. I am doing suggest this option however as suspect to a hotel as it gives you the chance to experience real Barcelona lifestyle .

The city of Barcelona is one of the most well-known short stay destinations in Europe and relying on the information you see, probably the most popular forward of Rome, Paris and Amsterdam.
One of the reasons for the metropolis’s attractiveness is probably merely that Barcelona is very much less costly than quite a few other European metropolitan areas and the value of hotels, restaurants and night clubs implies you don’t have to bust the financial institution to shell out a Saturday and Sunday there.
An additional motive is apparent – the historic metropolis centre and its maze of narrow streets, medieval buildings which includes the gothic cathedral as effectively as the modernist architecture of Lluis Domenech i Montaner, Josep Puig i Cadafalch and, above all, Antoni Gaudi whose even now unfinished Sagrada Familia is one of the a lot well-known icons of Barcelona.
And it is also a activity lovers paradise with most of the biggest sporting events in Spain getting place in or around Barcelona.

Barcelona Extreme Sports Competition

The city sports activities are in fashion and Barcelona, as an icon metropolis that embraces the newest trends, the Barcelona Extreme Sports activities Competition debuts on 11 and 12 October. This is an unparalleled competition in Spain. The occasion will bring place at the Parc Del Discussion board in Barcelona and it will carry collectively the greatest national and international riders, as effectively as young amateurs. The enclosure actions 5,000 square metres and it will variety seven competitors locations: Skateboard, Bicycle Freestyle (BMX), Inline, Motocross Freestyle (FMX), Wakeboard, Ski and Snowboard. In inclusion to sporting competitions, there will be a series of pursuits such as clinics, live tunes with the greatest DJ’s and concerts, city art (graffiti) and a purchasing area. Barcelona Extreme Sports activities Competition is attempting to turn into a planet reference for city sports activities. Book Ferienwohnungen Barcelona just before traveling. Thanks to the assist of the City Council and the Institut Barcelona Esports this competitors aims to turn into a new avant-garde identification indicator of Barcelona.

Soccer

No sport lover ought to consider a journey to Barcelona devoid of a journey to Cp Nou, FC Barcelona arena. Even if no match is on when you are there the arena museum and excursion is open daily. Nonetheless the arena only certainly will come alive when jam-packed with supporters and so your greatest option is to make sure you keep when Barcelona play at home. Complements are usually scheduled for Sundays, but can transfer to Saturday at short notice to be televised, so make sure that you keep on both nights to be sure. Barcelona’s first team, generally regarded merely as Barça, is world-renowned and after a few years of lacklustre outcomes a modify of membership administration saw an end to their problems. FC Barcelona has won the The spanish language La Liga for the last two years. In inclusion they won the Champions League name in May 2009.To get pleasure from a soccer recreation in Barcelona, investigation for Barcelona appartments for your journey.

Motor Sports Activity

The nationality monitor at Montmelo is applied throughout the yr by groups screening their vehicles and after a yr is home to the The spanish language F1 Grand Prix. Countless numbers of guests flock to Barcelona for the occasion, guaranteeing there is not a room readily available in the metropolis and so it is constantly recommended to book a resort effectively in advance. Additionally, the overall performance of Fernando Alonso in the last few of years has ensured that the range of Spaniards attending the occasion has increased to make it a market out occasion. Montmelo is a small way of Barcelona, but can be arrived at very easily by train or car. The other motor rushing occasion to be held in Catalonia is Rally Catalunya, one of the events in the Globe Rally Championship.

So much has been written about Antoni Gaudi and his association with Barcelona that it is almost unbelievable to venture to that pearl of the Mediterranean without at least passing some time admiring the sinuous extravagances of the architect’s imaginative imagination. But Barcelona is completely full of strange shops, bars and eateries that have been going about their business since before Sr. Gaudi picked up his first pencil. There are also lots of great Barcelona Apartment Rentals to explore the town like the great designer used to.

At number eleven Carrer de la Princesa, a painted be-turbaned head glares out from the curve of an enormous blue query mark. Below it a glass display case holds playing cards, puzzles, wands and intricate clarifications of the illusionist’s art. This is El Rey De La Magia, founded in 1881 and the oldest sorcery shop in Spain.

Just before Gaudi began work on the Segrada Familia, Joaquin Portagas became delighted with the arena of illusion. After a trip to South America where he learned some new tricks and strategies, he decided to take a full time step into the sorcery world and opened El Rey de la Magia, a brave step at a point when some people understood and practiced the illusionist’s art. At that time wizardry was typically performed on street corners, in markets and bars – it would not become really popular till the 1930′s, when it eventually entered the theatres and changed into a major spare time interest.

In the store, and the tiny museum of sorcery nearby, posters going back to the earlier years of the prior century publicize the famous wizards of the day, numerous them wearing flowing Chinese robes. The bright costumes were seen as very exotic when they first appeared, and besides – there had been masses of space to hide things!

In 1933 the 1st sorcery group in Spain was started in Barcelona, the Asociacin Catalana Illusionistas – and met in Quatro Gats, the same caf where Picasso, Joan Mir and other artists, writers and poets would meet. Sorcery was seen by many as a part of the arts in those days.

When Jos Maria Martinez took control of the store the sorcery business had been declining for a considerable number of years – there had been even talk of converting the property into a bar. At that time he and his spouse, Rosa Maria Llop, were professional actors but included sorcery in their specifically produced performances, something they still do today.

Sorcery is now a very popular spare time pursuit again, and even though most people like the grand David Copperfield-type illusions, it’s still the close-up, more intimate stage performances that people actually prefer. And you don’t get much more close-up and intimate than the performances held at their tiny theatre, where infants to granddads goggle in awe at the ‘magical ‘ sunday shows. Why not hire some Apartments in Barcelona to practice your own sorcery tricks in the town?

The theatre is a part of a museum of historic wizardry props ( where you can see Rosa’s grinning head mysteriously suspended in a glass case ), but in the workshop below, Jos Maria works creating new tricks for purchasers worldwide, though in the world of sorcery nothing actually changes.

Basically wizardry is defined by 1 or 2 rules – levitation, changing color, shape or place, and breaking something apart and placing it together again. Regardless of whether you are chopping somebody’s head off you still have to put it back again or where is the sorcery? There’s not – it’s then known as murder!

The most vital thing in sorcery is making the truth of something that does not exist. That boils down to method, you want to focus the public’s attention where you want it. One of the hardest illusions to do is levitation because it needs about four mins to line up, in full public view, and 4 mins is a very long time for a wizard to stand on stage and do nothing.