Spain Archives - Page 3 of 5

December 3, 2013 by jfalbelda

Five Most Underrated Attractions In Europe

Planning a trip to Europe? Whether this is your first or a return venture, you will not be disappointed traveling to these less-known landmarks. You will be awed, you will be off the beaten path and you will have adventures your friends will be envious of.

Vezelay, France

Rioja Alavesa, Spain

The Rioja Alavesa Wine Route offers you the tours of wineries in the region and much more. Throughout the year there are fairs, exhibitions, car rallies and marathon races. The area is known for its deep musky Rioja wine and for its landmark modern architecture. The land has a rich history that is seen through many found remains that date back to the Bronze Age.

Vezelay, France

Vezelay is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is famous for the eleventh century Romanesque Basilica of St. Magdalene and one of the most underrated attractions in Europe. Legend has it the basilica was built to house relics (bones) of Mary Magdalene brought to Vezelay by the Benedictine monk, Baudillon. The Basilica has been a pilgrimage place for hundreds of thousands of followers.

Beyond this, the beauty of the Vezelay Abbey is said to rival Chartre Cathedral, and the village, being set into a hillside in Burgundy, is one of the most picturesque in all of France. The surrounding countryside is home to France’s burgundy wine country.

Avebury, England

Twenty miles north of Stonehenge lies one of the eeriest Neolithic monuments in Europe: Avebury. It consists of multiple concentric circles of stone constructed around 2600 BC, amid which the medieval village of Avebury grew. Archeologists assume the purpose of the stones and placement to be ritualistic.

Thanks to a collaboration with the BBC a few years ago, Avebury Mansion has been restored with a museum for exploring the monument. Visitors can re-experience the BBC series the Manor Reborn, tour the Mansion and the Gardens, and experience the Stone circle that borders the edge of the Mansion Property.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark

On the north end of the Danish Island of Zealand lies Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. The museum prides itself on its interface of art, nature and the museum’s modern architecture.

Louisiana Museum has one of the largest collections of modern art in Scandinavia and includes artists from Picasso, Giacometti and Dubuffet to Warhol, Rauschenberg and Guston. They have a tradition of cross-cultural exhibitions and of large, international photo, design and architectural shows. The museum looks across to view Oresund Sound to Sweden, along with Hamlet’s Elsinore Castle, the summer home of Danish royals-Fredensborg Slot and the many beaches and cliffs all nearby.

Dresden, Germany

Culture is the word that comes to mind when one mentions Dresden. The city has three major landmarks and many more minor ones too numerous to mention: Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House, and the Church of Our Lady. For 700 years Dresden has been famed for its music and the calendar year round is packed with musical events from international festivals like the International Dixieland Jazz Festival to theatre and dance happenings to the famous Semper Opera Ball. Christmas is a special time in Dresden as it is home to the oldest Christmas Market, Striezelmarkt, first documented in 1434. No other place has the lights, sounds and tastes of this one.

October 18, 2013 by jfalbelda

A Guide to Madrid’s Top Day Spas

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just need a weekend away for a bit of pampering. As I also love travelling, I often try to combine the two and give myself the chance to explore somewhere new and relax at the same time.

One city that’s caught my eye recently is Madrid and I think it looks just perfect for a chilled out city break. It’s got everything I’d usually look for on this sort of trip, with plenty of luxury city-centre hotels, outstanding restaurants and excellent day spas.

For me, the key to unwinding and really enjoying a short break away is to do something I very rarely do at home – treat myself to a day of total pampering at a wellness centre. I’m still planning my trip to Spain, but I’ve come up with a list of a few of its top spas in Madrid to give you some inspiration in case you also need some R and R.

September 30, 2013 by jfalbelda

Top Mediterranean Breaks, without the Hustle & Bustle!

It’s fair to say that some of the Mediterranean islands are the life and soul of summer holidays, with thousands of holidaymakers flocking to their shores year after year to top up their tan and get their dose of summer sun. But, what happens when all you want is a taste of the quiet life? Is there a Mediterranean island that would accommodate? Sure there is!

While the popular island hotspots, such as Majorca and Ibiza, have their fair share of quiet, more tranquil resorts, it’s the less popular islands that hold the key to true relaxation. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and spend a week or two in the sun without the inevitably overcrowded beaches, here are some of the best places to go.

Menorca

By booking your Menorca flights from flythomascook, you can enjoy the low-key atmosphere or this beautiful island in no time. Home to more beaches than her neighbours put together, the main aim of a holiday in Menorca is relaxation. Whether you’re travelling with children or not, there are ample resorts to choose from to suit your requirements, with plenty of attractions, excursions and activities available if you can peel yourself away from the beach for a day or two.

Cyprus

Located in the eastern Med, Cyprus is a bolthole for relaxation and while it certainly has its vibrant resorts, it’s also home to some stunning, peaceful resorts too, such as the western coast and Coral Bay, south of Paphos, which is a quieter alternative to its neighbours.

Malta

From the historical sites and incredible culture to the modern sights and nightlife, Malta has something for everyone. The beauty that the island radiates should be enough for a visit.

Whether you choose one of these islands or you’d prefer to head for the mainland, if you’re after tranquility, there are plenty of options for you.

September 25, 2013 by jfalbelda

Romantic breaks in and around Santa Cruz, Tenerife

A sun-drenched island is a definite winner when it comes to romantic breaks, and I think Tenerife is the perfect destination. Its year-round sunshine, gorgeous beaches and culture-filled metropolises offer something for virtually every couple, with the lovely capital of Santa Cruz being pretty hard to beat.

So, today I’ll be talking about just what this dazzling city has to offer you if romance is on your mind. Plus, I’ll take a quick peek at a few alternative destinations located nearby. Hopefully, this will give you a splash of inspiration for your getaway.

Santa Cruz

Let’s begin with Santa Cruz, Tenerife, which you’ll find on the north-eastern tip of the island. With a bustling, vibrant atmosphere, this city is full of historic charm and has retained a traditional Spanish feel, which is one of the things that makes it so great for romantic holidays. Here, you can stroll hand in hand, drinking in authentic Spain and peppering your day with stops in great restaurants and sophisticated shops.

Actually, the fact that Santa Cruz is so walking-friendly also plays a big part in making this city so great for couples. I mean, having to cram yourselves onto a crowded bus to get from one site to the next is hardly going to set the right tone, is it?

The presence of luxurious hotels helps, too. One of my favourites is the Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey, which is near to the historic city centre. What I like about this place is that, as well as being close to the hubbub of the city and the beach, it is an oasis of tranquility – think beautiful gardens, fine dining and a piano bar.

Returning to the city itself, there’s oodles of choice when it comes to what to do. Couples can stick to the most obvious things – like discovering the stunning Santa Cruz Basilica – or head out on a more unique adventure. For instance, you could nip up to the seventh floor of El Corte Ingles to check out the amazing views across the city and port, or take a trip to the Noria district to enjoy the vibe in the trendiest bars and restaurants, like Mojos y Mojitos.

Or…

If you don’t fancy basing yourselves in the capital, there are some brilliant options nearby (these are also decent destinations for day trips from Santa Cruz, by the way).

La Laguna

La Laguna is one of my favourite choices – something that’s largely down to the fact that it’s a) wonderfully historic, and b) so little-known. Admittedly, the latter may seem like a slightly strange reason for being fond of somewhere, but I think a beautiful city that, owing to its lack of fame, is virtually tourist-free is a quite a refreshing thing – especially for couples hoping to find a little world of their own.

Once upon a time, La Laguna was Tenerife’s capital (Santa Cruz took the title in 1833). These days the city is still thriving, filled with stunning 16th, 17th and 18th-century buildings and gardens that dot the cobbled streets. As well as being beautiful and tranquil, La Laguna is a brilliant base for exploring Tenerife’s green north.

Puerto de la Cruz

I’ll finish up with Puerto de la Cruz, a lively city on the north coast. If you and your partner like the sound of a cosmopolitan destination with a good tourist infrastructure, great beaches and a decent nightlife, Puerto de la Cruz is likely to suit you down to the ground.

Like Santa Cruz, it’s got some lovely luxury hotels (like Hotel Botanico), while you’ll find charming gardens and town squares dot the city. Particular highlights include the Lido Martianez, which is full of lagoons and landscaped gardens, as well as Plaza del Charco.

This article was written by Alex Dweh. Alex is a successful travel writer with articles published on a number of notable travel websites, catering to a variety of audiences. To find out more about the destinations written about in this article visit http://www.sovereign.com/.

September 24, 2013 by jfalbelda

Top reasons to go diving in Lanzarote

Whether you have never been diving before and are in need of some lessons or are a seasoned pro, diving in Lanzarote is the place to be. It is widely considered to offer some of the best diving in the whole of the northern hemisphere.

The options are endless, with excursions from the shore and boat diving both possible, a plethora of schools to choose from and so many different sites to explore. An underwater paradise is just waiting to be found.

Book an all inclusive break – such as these – in order to keep costs down and allow you to fuel up at the beginning and end of each day’s diving. This will help to maximise your time in the water. Still not convinced that diving in Lanzarote is for you? Here are the top reasons why it might just be.

Fish

One of the main things that most people want to see when they are diving is fish. Since the waters around Lanzarote are home to some 500 species of fish you will certainly not be disappointed by the selection. On any one dive you will be surrounded by fish of every size, shape and colour imaginable.

These are likely to include barracudas, groupers, rays and angelsharks, as these fine specimens all live in this underwater world. For a really special experience head to the tiny island of Los Lobos, located between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. This is the neighbourhood of the hammerhead shark and close encounters with this legend of the sea will make for wonderful holiday memories.

Favourable conditions

Visibility when diving in Lanzarote tends to be very good with a length of ten to 30 metres usually clear in front of you. The water temperature varies between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius, making it particularly comfortable and the weather on the surface is moderate. It is unlikely to fall below 16 degrees in winter or exceed 25 degrees in the summer months.

Amazing dive sites

Whether you prefer caves, wrecks or reefs, there are so many dive sites that you will not get bored during your holidays to Lanzarote. In fact you may find yourself coming back time and again to explore further.

The most famous dive site off Lanzarote is known as the Cathedral and is a big underwater cave, whose walls are covered in soft coral. From the Cathedral there is no view of the surface, but you can see shrimp, finger coral and glass fish within it.

The Cathedral can be reached from Playa de la Barrilla and requires divers to descend 14 metres below the surface. Bring a torch in order to explore the darkest depths of the cave and find the most unusual creatures.

Alternatively head to the marine conservation site of Los Erizos where you will find good wreck diving. Pinfish, Turkish wrasse, emperor fish, sardines, arrow crabs, groupers, barracudas, rays, tuna and angelsharks can all be found here. As each dive is different the selection you see will vary every time.

Punta Tinosa is a dive site like no other you are likely to have seen before. This reef to the south of Puerto del Carmen was created when lava flowed into the sea and solidified there. As well as the amazing contours of the rock, divers also get to see many types of fish that frequent this stretch of water.

As you can see, from family holidays to Lanzarote, or just a solo sojourn, this amazing island has more than enough to offer anyone lucky enough to visit.