Europe & Beyond

Marvellous Madrid

Madrid is one of the finest cities in Europe and the capital of Spain.  It’s easy to get to, and perfect for a late summer holiday -  finding a flight couldn’t be simpler. Whether you’re travelling solo or in a mixed age group, Madrid is a great place to dip into Spanish life. Here are just a few of the many attractions on offer…..

The Estation de Atocha

This amazing building found on Avenida de los Toreros, was once a Railway station. It’s high glass windows, and sturdy iron structure now houses a tropical garden. There are about 6,700 plants in this giant greenhouse and it’s open from 7.30am until late.

Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas – The Bullring And Museum

One of the worlds most beautiful Bullrings is a must see sight. It was officially opened in 1934 and replicates the Arab designs used in 13^th and 14^th centuries with bright brickwork and tiles. There is a find statue in commemoration of the bullfighter José Cubero, inscribed ‘ a bullfighter dies, and an angel is born’. Located next to the stables you’ll find the Museo Taurino, which provides visitors with a synopsis of bullfighting and its celebrities. Ventas is the nearest train station.

Faunia

Faunia is an unusual environmental park. It’s big, at 140,000-square-metres and its designed to show how animal and plant life has accustomed itself to a changing world. Faunia has ten giant themed conservatories, representing different ecosystems. It’s very impressive, since the world’s climatic zones have been replicated, so you can walk through a tropical rainforest or the Mediterranean all the way to the Polar Regions. The pavilions hold over 4,000 animals, which represent more than 720 species and in addition there are in excess of 72,000 trees and shrubs. The aim of the park is to provide an environment where people can learn about the benefits of protecting the natural environment.

Parque Warner Madrid

371 acres of amusement park is going to keep young children happy. There are lots of attractions such as a 3D cinema, the Looney Tunes Express, funfair and water rides, a cartoon theatre and a wooden roller coaster. There are plenty of places to eat, its a bit “cheesy” and children will love it.  Parque Warner is accessible via the M-506 and M-301 routes

El Rastro is Madrid’s oldest market – and its open on Sundays and fiesta days, from 9.00-3.00pm. You name it, you’ll find it here. Hundreds of stalls attract locals and tourists, its get very busy, and its fairly slow moving, but it is good fun to wander amongst the street stalls.

You won’t be short of culture in Madrid; you can visit the Prado Museum, where there are works of art by Rubens, Murillo and Goya, Spain’s finest painters. The Museum is big – so you’ll need at least half a day here. Its free entry on Sunday, but it will of course be busy, so bite the bullet and visit in the week to get the best out of this significant art collection. There are permanent and temporary art exhibitions on displays and there’s a very reasonable café and restaurant, when your legs are starting to flag. The Modern Art Museum is Reina Sofia, on Santa Isabel with works by Dalia and Miro. There is a very classy restaurant here too.

The cheapest way to visit the best Madrid tourist attractions is to purchase a Madrid Card giving access to dozens of museums, and lots of venues and discounts on production of the card. You can also join in on guided tours that are part of the ‘Discover Madrid’ program, for free! It is available from the Madrid Tourist Information office in the Plaza Mayor and through main travel agencies. Seek out a cheap flight to Madrid and enjoy this bustling, vibrant city.

Take A Trip Off The Beaten Track

If you are thinking about Spain Holidays and want to take off over the next few months, here are a few places to visit to give you a taste of what’s out there.

Valencia

Valencia has a Biopark, which is an animal friendly, ecologically aware centre, open to visitors. The park has been sectioned and the landscaping is superb, so you can “visit” the savannah grasslands and Madagascar – which is where the beautiful lemurs will stare you out! Children love this place, since you get to see to wild animals in an environment which reflects their real environments much more than most zoos.

Seville

Seville has The Alcazar Gardens, where you can enjoy the lush greenery and summer evening concerts. Seville Cathedral is huge, and everything in it is larger than life. It also has a Bell Tower, which you get to by climbing up about 35 steeply sloped ramps! Visit the Old Cigar Factory Building where Bizet’s opera, “Carmen” is set and wander along the riverside down to the Expo Seville site, which has plazas, fountains, museums and cultural venues.

Jerez

Jerez, going deeper into Spain, has a strong history of sherry production and is home to traditional Flamenco. The old town in Jerez is made up of tiny alleyways, leading to lilac tree lines squares. Come evening, entire families come out to eat, and sing the evening away over a couple of bottles of good red wine. The Jerez Flamenco Centre and Museum is marvellous – an old building with a library full of flamenco films both old and new, a cinema, and a dance school. There are also gardens, Arab bath houses, great tapas bars, and local clubs where flamenco kicks off at around midnight. The sherry houses (bodegas) are fascinating too – and your entrance fee includes a sampling session of the range of sherry available from the Bodega store. Children will love the Equestrian Centre where the finest Spanish horses display their incredible balance, strength and appitude for dance!

Get Active In Central Spain

La Pedriza is close to Madrid, and it’s known for its great walking with Granite Mountains to test your fitness levels. Or try Avila, which has glacial mountains. From the giddy heights of the top, you can look down on a lagoon, sitting in the hollowed out bowl of the mountain.

South Coast Spain

For uncomplicated family fun, head for the south coast, where you have Malaga, Costa De Sol, and Fuengirola.   The coastal resorts in Andalucía are geared up for tourists, so there are plenty of eateries, English is widely spoken, and getting around is easy. There are all the usual seaside recreations on offer such as water parks, cable cars, trips into the mountains, and fast boats over to The Rock of Gibraltar and North Africa. Malaga is sophisticated, with beautiful stores, authentic eateries, a Picasso Museum, a Contemporary Arts Centre, and a Castle overlooking the town. Further down the line is Fuengirola, which although built up, has some really excellent restaurants to discover in the streets immediately behind the main road, which overlooks the long beach. And you can go up into the shady hills to visit Mihas, where there is a wonderful Wine Museum….with a little restaurant set deep into a cool courtyard. Perfect for a glass of chilled, dry sherry and a dish of local olives! Take a stroll up to the old Bullring, which is something of a rarity – its more square than round, and the views from the high seats are spectacular.

Spain has so much to offer that you’ll have new and wonderful experiences every day of your trip.

Budget Breaks For Happy Holidays

What’s top of your summer holiday list? Somewhere with a pool? Somewhere close to the beach? Or somewhere with a sea view where you can enjoy a drink at sunset? Well, if you want all this without leaving a hole in your pocket, take a look at some of these places which promise budget fun in the sun.  And the best bit? Most of these properties are offering 20-40% off their normal rates. Go on, you deserve a great holiday that won’t leave you feeling poor and you might find some perfect in the HostelBookers Summer Sale !

Barcelona

Do you want to enjoy the beach and a city break? Barcelona is a happy compromise. Barcelona has a popular city beach within walking distance of the Gothic quarter. Alternatively, stay around Poble Nou for local restaurants, easy access to the beach and its a short metro ride from the city centre. This way you get the best of both worlds with cultural attractions, seductive Barcelona nightlife as well as soaking up some sunshine. You might also like to consider a day trip along the coast to Sitges.

Casa Gracia Barcelona Hostel

If you are considering summer in the city, find somewhere with airconditioning!  With both air-conditioned shared and private rooms, the boutique style Casa Gracia Barcelona Hostel not only delivers on gorgeous design, it has a charming tiled terrace too. It’s a perfect spot to start your night on the town so pick up a bottle of wine to enjoy at dusk or join other guests for paella on Mondays.

Equity Point Sea Hostel

A hop, skip and a jump from the Balearic sea and sand, Equity Point Sea Hostel is perfect for beach lovers. Choose from 4, 6, 8 or 9-bed dorms all equipped with air-conditioning and en suites. At lunchtime, it’s a short walk back to the hostel for a siesta or why not buy fresh ingredients from the fabulous La Boqueria Market and use the hostel self-catering facilities to pack a picnic. By night, you are just 10 minutes walk from Las Ramblas and the hostel operates free daily tours and offers a free breakfast.

Oasis Backpackers Hostel

The seductive city of Granada offers steamy nights of flamenco, alfresco tapas and sunny plazas. After a day of admiring The Alhambra, enjoying the lush gardens and palace rooms, return to Oasis Backpackers Hostel Granada for some equally stylish architecture and interior design. This boutique hostel offers bright and modern rooms and communal spaces including self-catering facilities. Guests can soak up the sun on the roof terrace with views over the Arabic Albaicín neighbourhood. The hostels also holds  BBQ nights, a welcome drink on arrival plus the chance to win free beer on quiz nights.

Head into the Sierra Nevada mountain range to enjoy a dip in the lakes – its cool, refreshing and the countryside is magical.

Lisbon

Lisbon can provide culture, nightlife and sunbathing. The nearby beaches fly the European Blue Flag for excellence and are popular with locals and tourists alike. At Guincho, try out the surfing – its just a 25-minute train ride from Lisbon. The historic areas of Alfama and the Barrio Alto offer tile-clad buildings and orange tree dotted plazas. Take tram 28 for a 40-minute city tour and lean out the window to feel the wind in your hair! Nightlife gets off to a late start around 11pm and crowds spill happily onto the streets.

Beria Mar

Just a few roads back from the shoreline, most rooms at Beria Mar hostel offer views across the Tagus River. The interior is bright and colourful and the surrounding area of Almafa is Lisbon’s historic quarter. The Hostel offers a free breakfast – perfect for setting you up for the morning, and access to a lounge and games room when your feet tell you its time to go back to base.

Granada is a city of two halves with Castilian and Moorish cultures.

Alhambra

The Alhambra is one of the few medieval Muslim palaces to reach the 21st century virtually intact and it’s imagnificent.

With more than 1,000 years of culture, the Alhambra is the primary reason most people visit Granada. You’ll need plenty of time to explore and late spring is perfect – not too hot, but many of the flowering plants will already be on display including some 300 year old wisteria vines which are gorgeous.

The Citadel

The citadel is a wonderful collection of cloisters, courtyards and fountains. To see the Citadel, there are three ticket choices: daytime visits with under-12s free; admission is split into morning and afternoon sessions); evening visits  and garden-only visits Fees range from about  7 – 15 Euros. Also consider the option of a day and an evening visit, spread over two consecutive days. The number of rooms, squares, and walkways is extraordinary – and the moorish decorations are intricate and delicate; much of the stonework is like lace, decorating the window surrounds. Its advisable to book ahead online at www.alhambra-patronato.es. to secure your entrance ticket.

Albaicin District

Get your walking boots on and conquer the 11th-century Albaicin district. Its steep, cobbled alleyways and baz­aars are delightful; cottages drip with wisteria, tiny squares punctuate the climbs and prove helpful when you need a breather. Surprise vistas jump out t every turn. Along the narow Calle Caldereria Nueva, you can visit  Moroccan handicraft workshops, see the taracea marquetry. Its easy to get drawn into another impulse-buy, but don’t forget to try one of the hole-in-the-wall cafes for mint tea and a pionono pastry (ideally at Confiteria Isla, Carrera de la Virgen 27).

Make your way to Mirador de San Nicolas for the best sunset in town — and find yourself a flamenco show in the gypsy quarter, Sacromonte, where dancing troupes can be found in one of the traditional cave dwellings. The best caves are at La Canastera (Camino del Sacro­monte 89), La Rocio (Camino del Sacromonte 70) and Los Tarantos (Camino del Sacromonte 9).

Getting to Granada

The best airport for Gran­ada is Malaga (84 miles away), which is served by flights from more than 20 UK airports, plus Dublin, Cork and Shannon. Airlines flying there include Flybe, Easy­Jet and Monarch. To fly into Granada airport, you’ll have to make a plane change on the way. The best connections are with British Airways/Iberia, via Madrid.

Try Marvellous Menorca For A Colourful Holiday

Menorca remains a beautiful, relaxing place to visit. It’s the second biggest of the Balearic Islands, and unlike its bolder relatives, Menorca offers a completely different holiday experience. It’s perfect for relaxing family holidays, offering everything from traditional fiestas, to shore lines where you can swim and snorkel, windsurf or horse ride. Look for the seasons best buys when it comes to menorca holidays this summer!

Getting Around

Firstly, the roads are manageable and other drivers are considerate, so getting around is not a white knuckle ride. You can also hire a bike for a more leisurely look at the island – it’s relatively flat, with 216 kilometres of coastline to explore. The Island has lagoons, marshlands, and intricate rock formations as well as gently rolling hills, great for trekkers and walkers. The Camí d’en Kane route is particularly suited to bikes and walkers taking you all around the Island. For nature lovers, the centre of Menorca has some magnificent gorges and over two hundred types of flora.

What’s On?

All through the summer there are fiesta, and outdoor celebrations – the key ones being the Festival of St Joan 23-24 June, the Virgin de Carman Fiesta in July and the Saint Lorence Festival. All three celebrate the traditions of the Island, with food, drink and dancing, but centre stage are the displays of horsemanship – horses on Menorca have status and generations of good breeding has resulted in some of the best horses in Spain.

Mao Harbour is one of the top three deepest natural harbours in the world, and if you love boats and sailing, this should definitely be on your itinerary. Hire a catamaran to see the port’s historical sights – for instance, Sant Felip Fort was a British stronghold once besieged by Napoleon’s navy. The local people of Mao took a liking to the spirit, Gin, when the island became an English naval base in the 18th century. The port even had its own distillery set up, to keep up with demand!

A Bit of Spains Naval History

Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collinwood was Deputy to Admiral Horatio Nelsons. When Nelson died at  Trafalgar, Collinwood took over, securing victory for the British. He was then stationed in Menorca, and made his home here,  now a family run hotel, Hotel Almirante. Collinwood became known for his compassion to defeated Spanish sailors, sending out rescue boats for them and returning them to shore after their ships were sunk. He also spent five years helping to protect Spanish mainland and Balearic Islands from further invasion, and was accepted for his part in securing Spain.

How to Spend Your Time

Menorca is a world class diving spot. Under the waves, currents have cut into the rocks, creating a rich underwater landscape. Experienced divers often explore at night, but novice divers can enjoy a half or whole day excursion in the silent cool waters, exploring the sea beds and rock formations away from the heat of the day. You can watch the Sea Bass and Lobsters hiding in the rocks. Around the Bay of Biscay you can find a variety of boat trips in old style yachts and fishing boats – the numbers are kept low so that people can enjoy a peaceful sailing trip round the island.

Back on land, there are magnificent cave systems to explore. Come the evening, one of these caverns, visitor centre in the day, transforms into night club. Dance all night, and then watch the sun appear over the horizon. If you want something a little more cultural, there are concerts held in the old quarries or for something more laid back, try the Fishermans Caves at Cala Corb, where you can hear local fisherman singing traditional Menorcan songs, washed down with a glass of the local wine and a good plate of cheese. It’s said that the strong breezes help to drench the fields in salt spray from the sea, the end result being that local cheeses have a piquant bite to them – very moorish! Or try the local Lobster Stew (Calderata Langosta) – fresh from the local waters. The Islands food is rich, colourful and very reasonably priced.

Most towns have a weekly market, where you can buy local produce, cooking pots and shoe bargains! At Calas Fonts, Fornells or the Ciutadella Port you can wander through the market stalls, with a backdrop of seaside villas, or the hills – a great way to spend a few hours.

For an affordable holiday, in gorgeous surroundings, take a second look at Menorca, a fabulous place for a special holiday break.

Weekend Breaks in Spains’ Barcelona City

If you are thinking about taking a weekend break to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia,  here are a few things you can expect and a few things to look out for during your stay.

Many Catalans feel they have a separate identity and culture from the rest of Spain. Whether you go for a city break or a beach break, both are very enjoyable in Barcelona.  Take in the fine architecture, especially Casa Batillo, with its unusual shaped windows.  The outer part of the building is peppered with various colored tiles. Residents call it the House of Bones or House of the Dragon.

The unusual cucumber shaped tower, Torre Agbar, was completed in 2005 and at night glistens with blue and red hues.

Barcelona’s Metro system is really good and with air-conditioning it is well worth traveling on in the hot summers.  You can buy a T-10 ticket (10 tickets) which lets you change lines for 75 minutes at a very cheap price.  Bicycling is a great way to get around and taxis are inexpensive and most drivers like to help.

The art museums are plentiful, but don’t miss seeing  the Picasso Museum (Museo Picasso) featuring more than 3500 masterpieces from the most famous artist of the 20th century.  The museum  also provides much interesting information about Picasso’s life.

Shopping

Barcelona has everything from second hand shops (even at the Picasso Museum) to antiques stalls found in the seafront market. Its good fun, even if you can only afford to window shop.  Visit the Ramblas and see the song birds for sale, buy a bouquet or have your portrait drawn. At Rambla 91 you can buy almost any kind of food in Spain, mostly fresh. It is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The fish market is very good, but not available on Mondays. There are mostly cheap and trendy stores, along with fine goods in the gothic area left of the Ramblas.  For the serious shoppers,  the center of town is a must.   Watch for signs that say “Venda el Mayor” as these sell to wholesalers only, and are not particularly friendly to regular shoppers!

Also, near the Ramblos is the Plaza del Pi, where on the first and third weekend of each month and on Thursdays there are fine cheeses, herbs, and honey sold by vendors.  Also, local artists sell their art by the church and usually there are street musicians to enjoy.  Further down, on Calle Avinyo there are fine Spanish ceramics.  The shop of El Café de la Princessa on Calle Flassadors should not be ignored as it features reasonably priced and different types of gifts from the ordinary.  Walk down Calle Flassadors and you will find a number of galleries and fashionable shops.

Festivals Food and Nightlife

In every month of the year there are one or more holidays celebrated, but February is best for Carnival, Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras.  Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are party dates with masked balls, feasts, and parades.

Then there is the food – anything from Tapas (small foods) often enjoyed in bars and clubs to the wonderful cuisine which must have (if you are in a true Barcelonan restaurant) olive oil, garlic and tomatoes.  Barcelona cuisine is different to other Spanish regions as the food is more creative, sometimes with raisons and nuts in vegetable dishes and meats cooked with fruit or mixed with escargot (snails).

Don’t forget the nightlife in Barcelona. Choose an area that you enjoy -  perhaps with Jazz clubs featuring local musicians and guest musicians from London, New York and further afield.  Around midnight there are lots of bars to go to.  The Barcelonans like to start their “real” nightlife around 2:00 a.m. and there are many places to dance, drink, have fun and eat Tapas (small foods) which occasionally are free served with ordering of drinks.  Many tourists enjoy  the two discothèque malls near the old port.  Be aware that if you are out in the Gothic Quarter late at night, there are often pickpockets at work, watching for easy targets.  For gay visitors the bars on left side of the Eixample near the metro station and above the Gothic area is the place to go, but it offers much to do for everyone with DJ’s film festivals and new artists work.   Look for flyers (with their cherry logo) in Eixample to see what is happening and where.

After taking in the many sites and famous art in this fantastic city, have a break and sunbathe at a beach.  There are beaches ranging from relaxing to busy, the nicest is considered to be the Platja de la Nova Icaria with its sandy white beach.  It’s a very busy area with bars, restaurants and shops when you have your fill of the rays.  The beach of Platja de Bogatell is visited by the most people and has the best beach bars on the Mediterranean.  Connected by a lovely trail is Platja Mar Bell beach with lots of things to do from playing on jungle gyms, playing basketball, volleyball or having fun at the skateboard parks.

Barcelona is a city of wonders, both ancient and modern, and well worth a weekend break and even longer.

This article was written by Paul Bruce, on behalf of Holidays 365 0 offering a great selection of family holiday parks and accommodation in the UK.

Things to Do and Places to Stay in Barcelona

We’ve talked about  Barcelona Festivals previously, so we’re delighted to have a further guest post about some unusual ways to spend time in this wonderful city.

Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean Sea that is visited by millions of vacationers. And no wonder; the city offers its visitors dynamic cultural events, scrumptious cuisine and incredible beauty all year round. Here are just a few unusual to do and see when visiting this historic yet trendy city – make sure you stay in one of the many super trendy Barcelona hotels when you’re there!

Barcelona Jazz Cruise

Nothing says romance like a  Barcelona sunset.  That sunset is even more romantic when it is coupled with soothing jazz music as the backdrop. The cruise is an about an hour and a half of pure Mediterranean coastline pleasure. It sets sail from April through September.

Human Table Football

This is a fun and unusual activity for adult fans of table football, also known as foosball. Players are strapped into an inflatable boat in the foosball formation. Just like the table game, movement is sideways only and just the feet can be used to maneuver to score goals and block the opponent.  Great fun for the competitive at heart and a good workout as well.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Imagine floating a mile above the countryside of Catalina on the breeze of the Mediterranean Sea. This magic ride is a chance to relax and look down at the most amazing scenery in the world. Enjoy breakfast with the pilot and fellow passengers at the end of the journey.

Cheese Tasting in the Gothic Quarter

Tourists get the chance to get a taste of the best cheeses Spain has to offer. The tasting takes place in a specialist cheese shop deep in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The intimate tour includes a lesson on the history of each cheese. Bread and fine wine are served with the cheese and guests can purchase their favorites before they leave.

Hotel Majestic

Hotel Majestic is one of the excellent spa hotels Barcelona has to offer. This five star gem is pure indulgence from the large, sumptuous spa, relaxing rooftop terrace and open air pool. Fine dining is available at the two top restaurants located in the hotel.

Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel

This gourmet hotel has a 120 seat restaurant that offers delectable Mediterranean cuisine. Facilities include 40 rooms for events like cocktail and anniversary parties and wedding receptions. The hotel is located in Barcelona’s World Trade Center on Port Veill.

Guest post from Escapio.com – book the best luxury, boutique & designer hotels in Barcelona.

If You Love Cities – You’ll Adore Seville

Feeling in a need of a pick me up? There are plenty of cheap flights to the glorious city of Seville and you’ll come home re-energised and ready for your next trip!  Seville’s’ rich heritage and culture are the end result of many invading and departing cultures, including Greek, Phoenician, Roman and Arab. The Arab influence is still evident today and the legacy of talented designers and builders has made Seville a place of great beauty, brimming with style and colour.

Some Key Landmarks

The old city still dominates Seville, so here are a few things to look out for on your visit. Firstly, the Cathedral. It is heart stopping in size and scale. You’ll need to dress modestly, and take something to cover your arms; the Cathedral has exceptionally thick walls, which means that it is always cool. The Bell Tower, to the side of the Cathedral is reached by 35 walkways which slope upwards– you need to be fairly fit to reach the top! The views are wonderful and you can watch your progress through tiny grilled windows as you climb. Even better, the bells still ring out.

The Barro Santa Cruz area is made up tiny alleyways, designed to keep the sun out and the people cool. The houses are draped in geraniums, and have the characteristic iron grilled windows. These were originally designed to keep young women out of the clutches of their suitors, who could do little more than look at them! You can visit the prettiest of these old houses, which is the Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes, with its internal courtyard. You can also visit the Jardines De Murillo, a lovely peaceful garden to take a breather, or sample some fine sherry in the long established bodega, Juan Garcia Aviles. This little street bar is something of an establishment in Seville. There are lots of craft shops, artists and designers working in this area, so it’s a great place to treat yourself!

You might want to check out the Art Market outside the Museo de Bellas Artes, which has an ever changing exhibition of Spanish art. There are lots of museums too, one for the Spanish Navy, a Fan Museum, and the most famous, the Maestanza, a bullring, thought to be the best in Spain. A must see place for opera lovers is the old  Tobacco Factory, found on Avenida San Fernado. It was the setting for Bizets opera Carmen. In its hey day, the factory was Spains largest employer, with 10,000 women making cigars, cigarettes and snuff.

There are monuments, remarkable buildings, things to do, and places to rest from the heat all through the city. The loveliest spot has to be Alcazar Gardens, an oasis of ancient established plants, set against Moorish buildings, walkways, courtyards and waterways.

And Finally….

Spanish food is delicious – lots of freshly made tapas, excellent bread and cheese and olives, and of course, exceptional wine and sherry. Be prepared to adjust your internal clock – Spanish people don’t eat much before 9.30pm and things only really get getting around 1.00am so you’ll need some stamina or a black coffee at least. Nightlife is vibrant, with music venues, theatre and comedy shows to suit all tastes.  It’s easy to get around too – in the city there are trams and bikes for hire. Seville train station is big, modern and immaculately clean, as are the trains. There are lots of flight companies who fly to Spain, including Flybe, and Ryanair so it’s very easy to arrange your travel from most UK airports.

Whether you have 2 days or two weeks you’ll always leave Seville wanting more. It’s a great place to kick start your interest in Spain and it’s just a few hours away!